Due to the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys also own the Packers\u2019 first round pick for the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
The second-best scenario happened for the Cowboys when the Panthers lost at home to the visiting Rams.<\/p>\n
Dallas had a chance for the 19th pick in the draft as long as the Panthers won and the Packers lost.<\/p>\n
One of those things came true, and it locked the Cowboys in as the 20th pick in the upcoming draft.<\/p>\n
The 12th pick had gems like WR Alvin Harper, LB Micah Parsons, and OL Tyler Booker.<\/p>\n
What does the 20th pick have in store?<\/p>\n
![\"Cowboys](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/96.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Impact at 20<\/p>\n
The Dallas Cowboys have selected 20th in the NFL Draft five times in their history, and four of those five picks have been solid contributors to the franchise.<\/p>\n
The first time the Cowboys picked 20th, they selected WR Dennis Homan in 1972.<\/p>\n
Homan managed just 37 catches for 619 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
DT Kelvin Pritchett was the 20th pick for the Cowboys in 1991, but had minimal impact before moving on.<\/p>\n
TE Billy Joe Dupree, 1973<\/p>\n
In the 1983 NFL Draft, quarterbacks like Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, and John Elway stole the headlines, but the Cowboys made an underrated selection with the 20th pick.<\/p>\n
Tom Landry and his staff selected TE Billy Joe Dupree from Michigan State University.<\/p>\n
Dupree brought a different element over the middle of the field for QB Roger Staubach to throw to.<\/p>\n
Staubach and Dupree had a solid connection, and the latter finished his career with three Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl rings.<\/p>\n
Dupree caught at least 29 passes in each of his first eight healthy seasons, and finished his career with 267 receptions for 3,565 yards and 41 touchdowns.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ekuban-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
DE Ebenezer Ekuban, 1999<\/p>\n
The 1999 NFL Draft was an important one for the Cowboys because they were trying to keep the 90\u2019s dynasty afloat.<\/p>\n
They selected DE Ebenezer Ekuban with the 20th pick, and he was an impact player for the Cowboys for the duration of his rookie contract.<\/p>\n
Ekuban set the edge for the Cowboys for five seasons, recording 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss before leaving in free agency for the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n
DE Marcus Spears, 2005<\/p>\n
Dallas would wait another six years before picking 20th again.<\/p>\n
As soon as their previous 20th overall pick (Ebenezer Ekuban) left in free agency, the Cowboys immediately picked a player at the same position with the same pick.<\/p>\n
Marcus Spears was actually the Cowboys\u2019 second pick that day after selecting future Hall of Fame DE DeMarcus Ware with the 11th pick.<\/p>\n
Spears injected some life into the defensive line and locker room, and stayed with the Cowboys playing under Bill Parcells.<\/p>\n
In eight seasons in Dallas, Spears collected 10.0 sacks and 23 tackles for loss before signing a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.<\/p>\n
Spears called it quits after that lone season in Baltimore, but his impact in Dallas will never be forgotten.<\/p>\n
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