The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Dallas Cowboys’ revamped coaching staff made one thing clear: they value trenches, leadership, and high-character players with grit and toughness. Not a bad approach, but key gaps remain on the roster. While some heaped high praise on Dallas for what they did in the draft—an A+ grade from PFF—my take is a bit more tempered. For a team that claims to be “all in” and hopes to contend in a loaded NFC, addressing their remaining needs is a top priority heading into the summer. Here’s a look at the three biggest concerns still looming over Dallas after draft weekend. Dallas Cowboys’ Post-NFL Draft Needs Linebacker Is A Desperate Need For The Dallas Cowboys I know linebacker is not considered a premium, or “sexy” position in the NFL right now. But you know what else isn’t sexy? Having the opposing team run the ball down your throat whenever they want. In 2024, the Dallas defense was awful, but their run defense was particularly bad. They ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed, 32nd (that’s last) in rushing touchdowns allowed, and 30th in yards allowed per rush. No matter how grim a picture the numbers paint, I promise you, watching it was worse. Last year’s leading tackler, Eric Kendricks, is a free agent and is unlikely to return. His 138 tackles led the team, 51 more than the next closest Cowboy, DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown, meanwhile, is recovering from a knee injury he suffered in week 14, and his status for 2025 remains up in the air. Behind them? The next three leading tacklers were all defensive backs. The Cowboys drafted Shemar James (in the fifth round), and they’ve added Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray Jr. But expecting a mid-rounder and two castoffs to fix a broken run defense is wishful thinking. Unless someone steps up fast, linebacker remains a major roster hole heading into this year. Running Back Remains A Major Question Mark For The Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys couldn’t stop the run last year—and they couldn’t run it either. Last year, they finished 27th in rushing yards, 32nd (last again) in rushing touchdowns, and 30th in rush yards per attempt. Running back was a major need for the them heading into the offseason, and they have failed to adequately address the problem in either the draft or free agency. Last year’s leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, is now a Carolina Panther. Ezekiel Elliot, who had an underwhelming Cowboys reunion, is also gone. No one else on the team last year ran for more than 100 yards. For the season! To address this, the Dallas Cowboys signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Last year, the two produced a combined 718 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Not exactly inspiring. While they did come away with two backs in this year’s draft, neither of them will solve their run game woes. In the fifth round, they grabbed Jaydon Blue. I like Jaydon Blue. I watched him at Texas. He’s got juice and serious explosive play ability. He’s also small and fumbles a lot. They snagged Phil Mafah in the seventh round, a bruiser with size and toughness. But he lacks explosive play ability, and with six backs now on the team, he will be fighting to make the 53-man roster. This isn’t the early ’90s, and I’m not expecting Emmitt Smith to walk through that door and carry the ball 32 times a game. But the Dallas Cowboys need a lead back, and right now, they don’t have one. And while they certainly have a “committee,” I don’t know how successful they’ll be running the football. If this team is serious about being balanced and helping out their quarterback, then finding a reliable lead back remains a major priority. Wide Receiver Is (Still) The Cowboys’ Most Pressing Concern If the Dallas Cowboys were serious about upgrading the offense this offseason, you wouldn’t know it by looking at the wide receiver room. Dallas desperately needed to upgrade the WR2 position to take pressure off CeeDee Lamb. But to this point, they haven’t done it. They entered the draft targeting Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan, but Carolina got him at eight. It was also reported that Matthew Golden could be an option, but he was selected by Green Bay after Dallas passed on him. They haven’t signed a receiver (aside from two undrafted free agents), nor have they traded for one. Behind Lamb is maybe the most uninspiring receiver group in the entire NFL, but according Jerry Jones, an upgrade will be made only if “improvement is needed from what we’ve got on campus.” I’m not sure how he will determine that, but I think improvement is needed. As it stands, Lamb will once again be the focal point of every defense they face. Jalen Tolbert has flashed in spots, but he is a WR3 at best. Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, and Jonathan Mingo are rotational depth pieces (that’s being kind). Not WR2s. And Brandin Cooks, a reliable but aging veteran, is gone. In every big spot, Dak Prescott will still only have one reliable place to go with the ball. This team desperately needed an impact player opposite Lamb, however they could get one, and they haven’t done it. Unless a veteran addition comes soon—and Jerry Jones has hinted that it might—the Cowboys are heading into 2025 dangerously thin at one of the most important positions on the field. The Clock Is Ticking The Dallas Cowboys have had opportunities to close the gap in a competitive NFC. Instead, major questions still hang over this team. Until they find real solutions to their roster holes, “all in” will feel more like a slogan than a strategy. Training camp is around the corner. The clock is ticking in Dallas.