2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. explains decision to change Cowboys pick from Omarion Hampton to Matthew Golden in new mock

Mel Kiper Jr. is above all things flexible when it comes to making adjustments between his various mock drafts. And with the 2025 NFL Draft nearly a week away, ESPN’s longtime NFL Draft guru showed that pliability when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys‘ first-round pick.

In his joint three-round mock draft with fellow ESPN insider Field Yates released Tuesday morning, Kiper flipped his Cowboys’ projection from former North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton to former Texas receiver Matthew Golden, who Kiper said has “seized control” of the draft’s No. 1-rated receiver.

“They say if you’re stubborn, you’re stupid. It tried not to be too stubborn here and keep the running back Omarion Hampton there, I wanted to get him down to Denver anyways (so) it worked out perfect,” Kiper explained Tuesday afternoon on ESPN2’s Three-Round Mock Draft special. “Matthew Golden with that 4.29 speed, off the heels of a great year at Texas coming over from the Houston Cougars program … (had) nine games (with a) 20-yard average per catch or better. Matthew Golden was phenomenal and then he ran a spectacular 40. Matthew Golden to the Dallas Cowboys with CeeDee Lamb to help out Dak Prescott, and they pass on the running back Omarion Hampton.”

Kiper doubled down that the 12th overall pick wouldn’t be too high for Hampton, who is widely-considered the draft’s second-rated running back behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. Still, given the position at No. 12, Kiper suggested the Cowboys could have their pick between Golden, Hampton and 6-foot-4 receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who was a Biletnikoff Award finalist last season. That said, Kiper said Golden and his electric speed playing opposite Lamb just made too much sense to pass on at 12.

“I think 12 is not too high for Omarion Hampton, I don’t think there’s a huge gap between (Ashton) Jeanty and Hampton,” Kiper continued. “But I think either way, the Cowboys are sitting pretty at 12, because Hampton would look good in a Cowboys uniform, no question about that, so would Matthew Golden. Tetairoa McMillan moved down just a bit, but Golden has seized control of that WR1.”

Report: Dallas Cowboys to meet with Texas WR Matthew Golden

According to FOX’s Jordan Schultz, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden is visiting the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. Golden is fresh off a trip to Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. An in-demand player, Golden is certainly a candidate to be selected in the first round.

“Sources: Texas WR Matthew Golden is visiting the #Cowboys on Thursday after meeting with the #Bucs today,” Schultz said via X. “Golden ran a blazing 4.29 in the 40-yard dash, and people inside the Longhorns program rave about him — calling him a natural leader, consistent worker and a big-game performer.”

Golden spent just one season on the 40 Acres however, he played in 16 games. His 58 receptions were second on the team while the 987 yards and nine touchdowns both led Texas. The start was a slower one but once Golden got comfortable with Quinn Ewers, the tandem was a tough one to stop.

The “big-game performer” tag in Schultz’s report likely comes from how Golden played in the College Football Playoff. Arizona State fell victim to a seven-catch, 149-yard performance in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal. Golden caught a touchdown as well, being the game-tying one on 4th and 13 in overtime.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.