The Latest: Iran rejects ceasefire deal as Trump's deadline for attacks on infrastructure nears

Tehranrejected a45-day ceasefire proposaland said it wants a permanent end to the war as U.S. PresidentDonald Trump's ultimatum to make a deal ticked closer with an expanded threat of strikes against the Islamic Republic to include all power plants and bridges.

APTOPIX Lebanon Israel Iran War

Trump said Mondayhe’s “not at all” concernedabout committing possible war crimes as he again threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not meet his Tuesday 8 p.m. ET deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the U.S. that attacking civilian infrastructure is banned under international law, his spokesperson said Monday.

Israel carried out a new wave of attacks on Iran early Tuesday, while Iran responded with missile fire on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbors.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, but the government has not updated the toll for days.

InLebanon, more than 1,400 peoplehave been killedand more than 1 million peoplehave been displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have died there.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 23 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S.service membershave been killed.

Here is the latest:

South Korean presidential official to visit Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia to secure oil

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is dispatching his chief of staff as a special envoy to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia in a diplomatic push to secure more fuel and mitigate the energy crunch caused by the war in the Middle East.

Kang Hoon-sik said he will depart Tuesday evening, with the visits aimed at securing additional sources of crude oil and naphtha, a key petroleum product used in plastics manufacturing.

Advertisement

South Korea last month reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to receive 24 million barrels of crude from that country and initial shipments have arrived in recent weeks.

More than 60% of crude and 50% of naphtha supplies imported by South Korea last year passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that’s now largely blocked by Iran as it seeks to exert leverage against the United States and Israel.

Key bridge linking Saudi Arabia to the island of Bahrain closes over threats from Iranian attacks

The King Fahd Causeway, a key bridge linking Saudi Arabia to the island kingdom of Bahrain, closed early Tuesday over threats from Iranian attacks.

The King Fahd Causeway Authority made the announcement in a post on X.

It said vehicle movements had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” over Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The 25-kilometer (15.5-mile) bridge is the only connection by road for Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, to the Arabian Peninsula.

While there’s been no formal threat against the King Fahd Causeway, some hard-liners within Iran have increasingly identified it as a possible target.

That risk likely would grow if Trump carries out his threatened strikes against bridges in Iran.

Saudi Arabia acknowledges ‘debris’ falls near energy infrastructure

Saudi Arabia said early Tuesday that seven ballistic missiles from Iran targeted the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, with “debris from the missiles” crashing into the ground near energy facilities.

The brief statement from Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the Saudi military, did not elaborate on the extent of the damage on the ground, though he said an “assessment is underway.”

It wasn’t clear what energies facilities had been impacted.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 09, 2026

The Latest: Iran rejects ceasefire deal as Trump's deadline for attacks on infrastructure nears

Tehranrejected a45-day ceasefire proposaland said it wants a permanent end to the war as U.S. PresidentDonald Trump's ultimatum to ...

Read More

Masters 2026: After Rory McIlroy’s spectacular win, what’s the best storyline this year?

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy, sporting the green jacket he’d owned for less than an hour, looked out at the assembled media on April 13, 2025, and smiled a weary smile. “I'd like to start this press conference with a question myself,” he said. “What are we all going to talk about next year?”

It’s a fair question. When McIlroy finally won another major, finally won his Masters in try No. 17, finally claimed his career grand slam, it didn’t just represent the culmination of his career. That glorious 2025 victory represented the end of a chapter in Masters history, the best possible conclusion to one of the tournament’s longest-running storylines. With McIlroy’s victory assured, with Tiger Woods now clearly a part of the tournament’s history rather than its present or future, the Masters needs new storylines.

So. Whatarewe going to talk about this year?

Fortunately, Augusta National has a way of creating myths out of the thick Georgia air. No matter what unfolds over the next six days, it will take on the tones and colors of legend.

Broadly speaking, the best Masters stories break down into three categories: ascension, domination and resurrection. In other words: a new champion, an elite champion, or a returning champion. Every one of the finest Masters — 2025, 2019, 1997, 1986 and so on — features some combination of the three. So which will it be this year? Here are our best guesses.

Ascension: Greatness debuts

Augusta National has a way of welcoming future Hall of Famers to the big stage, like Woods and Jordan Spieth. With all due respect to literally every other tournament, there’s something special about a Masters win that elevates a player’s career to another level entirely. Any of these paths would make for a fantastic week:

First-time major winners:Tommy Fleetwood leads the pack here; if the Englishman can claim his first major this week, he’d be one of the golf world’s most popular winners in years. Akshay Bhatia also appears ready to level up. Min Woo Lee, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland would also be crowd favorites if they were atop the leaderboard on Sunday.

First-time Masters winners:Justin Rose really deserves another shot at this, having lost two Masters in playoffs (to Sergio Garcia in 2017 and McIlroy last year). Shane Lowry might set off the finest party Augusta has ever seen. And if Gary Woodland managed to win a green jacket after his personal challenges, there wouldn’t be a dry eye on the grounds.

An amateur:No amateur has ever won the Masters; Ken Venturi came the closest, finishing solo second to Jack Burke in 1956. Sam Burns made a run in 2023 but finished T16. Were any of this year’s six amateurs to get in the weekend mix, they’d be an instant national celebrity.

Domination: Greatness flexes its muscle

Every once in a while, the best have to remind the world why they’re the best. Yes, dramatic 18th-hole playoff finishes are spectacular, but so too is the walk up the 18th fairway when the champion only needs a triple-bogey to win.

Advertisement

Rory McIlroy:If he were to back up his 2025 nailbiter with a 2026 masterpiece, well, that would be something, wouldn’t it?

Jon Rahm:Just how good is Rahm these days? It’s tough to say because his days are on the LIV circuit, but if the 2023 champion were to come to Augusta National and lap the field, well, a whole lot of the “did he make a mistake?” talk would quiet down.

Scottie Scheffler:Won his two Masters by three and four strokes, respectively. When he finds his groove, there’s nobody that can even slow him down.

Bryson DeChambeau:Also fits in the “First-time Masters winners” category, but man, if DeChambeau were able to back up his talk with a triumphant walk through the pines, well, we’d like to see the YouTube behind-the-scenes videos that would come from that.

Resurrection: Greatness, once lost, is now found

The Masters has a way of bringing greats back onstage for one more turn in the spotlight — think Jack Nicklaus in 1986 or Tiger Woods in 2019. These players are primed for one of those return-to-greatness moments.

Jordan Spieth:The next player in line for a truly great comeback story. After winning a Masters in 2015 and giving one away in 2016, Spieth seemed like the next legend. It hasn’t quite worked out that way, but if he were able to find that winning form for one more weekend, he’d be the most popular contender in the field.

Keegan Bradley:He has just one major to his credit, a PGA Championship all the way back in 2011 … meaning the most notable line on his resume is last year’s catastrophic Ryder Cup captaincy. A green jacket would go a long way toward rehabilitating that.

Brooks Koepka:After spending several seasons on LIV, Koepka has largely been welcomed back by the PGA Tour galleries. He too belongs in the “first-time Masters winners” category, but a Koepka post-LIV victory would have resonance beyond just the leaderboard.

Sergio Garcia & Patrick Reed:Both have severely tested their fans’ patience over the years, but a victory might —might— eliminate some of the hard feelings.

Fred Couples:No, it won’t happen. But man, can you imagine how great another Freddie win would be?

Of course, the best result might just be one where we have no idea what’s going to happen all the way into late Sunday afternoon. Think back to, say, 2011, when eight different players held at least a share of the lead on the tournament’s final day, five simultaneously on the back nine. Charl Schwartzel claimed the green jacket with four straight closing birdies, but it remains one of the most spectacular Masters tournaments ever because of the sheer chaos.

We don’t yet know what the story of this week will be. But it’ll definitely be worth retelling. At Augusta National, a victory always is.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 09, 2026

Masters 2026: After Rory McIlroy’s spectacular win, what’s the best storyline this year?

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy, sporting the green jacket he’d owned for less than an hour, looked out at the assembled media on April 13,...

Read More

WNBA star Angel Reese traded to Atlanta Dream for picks package

Angel Reese's third WNBA season will not be with the Chicago Sky.

On Monday, April 6,Prime's Taylor Rooks broke the newsthat the Sky were moving their star forward. The Sky and Dream later confirmed the move with dual announcements.

"This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties," Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. "We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter."

“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta," said Dream general manager Dan Padover. "She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans."

Advertisement

Angel Reese walks runway at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Angel Reese trade details

The Dream acquired the two-time WNBA All-Star from the Chicago Sky in exchange for the Dream’s first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. The Dream will also receive the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in 2028.

How did Angel Reese react to being traded?

On Monday,Reese posted a video tribute to Chicagoon her Instagram.

"To the city of Chicago, you showed me real love from day one," Reese said in a video montage. "Thank you, Chicago. Always Chi-Town Barbie."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Angel Reese Sky-Dream trade details after WNBA star moved

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 09, 2026

WNBA star Angel Reese traded to Atlanta Dream for picks package

Angel Reese's third WNBA season will not be with the Chicago Sky. On Monday, April 6,Prime's Taylor Rooks broke the newsth...

Read More

Husband arrested after woman reported missing, went overboard in Bahamas: Police

The husband of a woman who wasreported missing in the Bahamasafter going overboard on a dinghy has been arrested, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Lynette Hooker, 55, of Michigan, and her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, had departed Hope Town on the Abaco Islands for Elbow Cay around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The couple was en route to their yacht, "Soulmate," when bad weather caused Lynette Hooker to fall overboard, her husband told authorities.

Brian Hooker was arrested Wednesday evening, police said.

In a statement, attorney Terrel Butler said he had been retained to represent Brian Hooker.

"I maintain the position stated by my client: he categorically denies the allegations made against him," Butler said, adding that he had advised his client to refrain from any other public comments "to ensure the integrity of the legal process."

The arrest comes after multiple sources told ABC News a criminal investigation had been opened into whether there was any wrongdoing in the case.

The U.S. Coast Guard will be leading the probe, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

The search is ongoing for Lynette Hooker, according to police.

Her husband told police the strong currents on Saturday took her out to sea, authorities said. She was holding the boat key when she went overboard, causing the 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy's engine to shut off, police noted.

Her husband spoke out for the first time on Wednesday, saying he is "heartbroken over the recent boat accident."

In a statement posted to social media, Brian Hooker said "unpredictable seas and high winds" caused his "beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy" near Elbow Cay.

"Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus," he said.

Advertisement

American woman missing at sea after going overboard on dinghy in the Bahamas: Police

Brian Hooker subsequently paddled the boat back to shore, arriving at around 4 a.m. Sunday to a marina, where he reported his wife overboard to an individual who then alerted police, authorities said.

The search and rescue operation has been conducted by land, sea and air and involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.

Brian Hooker thanked the agencies "who have worked tirelessly in an ongoing effort to bring Lynette back to us."

"Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette in your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time," he said.

The investigation and search efforts are ongoing, police said Tuesday.

Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has called for a "full and complete investigation" into her mother's disappearance.

She told ABC News her mother is fit and a good swimmer, and described what her stepfather told her about his wife's disappearance.

"He said that my mom's missing and that she fell out of the boat and that he threw a life jacket to her or something, and he doesn't know if she got it or not," she said.

"I just hope we find her," she added.

Father jumps overboard after daughter falls off Disney cruise ship

The Hookers are avid sailors, documenting their travels on social media under the name "The Sailing Hookers."

The U.S. State Department is "aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay" and is "working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance," a spokesperson for the agency said Monday.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 09, 2026

Husband arrested after woman reported missing, went overboard in Bahamas: Police

The husband of a woman who wasreported missing in the Bahamasafter going overboard on a dinghy has been arrested, according to the Roya...

Read More

New details about Epstein's lenient plea deal revealed in DOJ files

Jeffrey Epstein's controversial 2008plea dealfor charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution has long drawn scrutiny, and newly released details are raising further questions about the months he spent on work release from a Florida jail.

Epstein pleaded guilty and surrendered to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office in July 2008. Dozens of accusers from several states, many underage at the time of the alleged crimes, had been prepared to testify against him on federal sex trafficking charges, but the case was shelved in exchange for his agreement to plea to lesser state charges in Florida. Many survivors of Epstein's crimes and other critics of the plea agreement have called it a "sweetheart deal."

After serving fewer than four months in jail, Epstein was granted a special arrangement that allowed him to leave custody for up to 16 hours a day, six days a week, as part of a work release program, allegedly to perform work at a charitable organization he had just established called the Florida Science Foundation.

This continued for the next nine months until his release to a year of supervised house arrest in July 2009.

Each day during his work release, Epstein was transported between the jail and an office in downtown West Palm Beach by his bodyguard and driver, Igor Zinoviev. His personal attorney, Darren Indyke, was listed as his official supervisor at the job. Epstein agreed to hire off-duty sheriff's deputies to monitor his movements, log visitors and provide security at his office and home.

According todocuments releasedunder the Epstein Files Transparency Act, his SUV used for these trips was outfitted with a bed. An account given to the FBI by one woman included the claim that Epstein engaged in sexual activity with her in the vehicle — while it was parked in the jail lot.

The woman told the FBI she was a former model from Slovakia who Epstein had first met when she was a teenager and still in high school. She told agents she was recruited from Slovakia byEpstein's friendand business associateJean-Luc Brunelduring her senior year to move to New York City and pursue a career in modeling. She met Epstein at Brunel's birthday party at the New York City restaurant Cipriani in 2003.

By the time of Epstein's incarceration, she had been involved sexually with him for several years. She was one of four "assistants" granted immunity in a federal non-prosecution agreement that Epstein received in exchange for his plea. Some Epstein accusers have alleged that those women were involved in recruiting Epstein's victims; she did not address that in statements to the FBI. The non-prosecution deal was ultimately approved by then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Alexander Acosta.

Survivors and their attorneys say these allegations are just one example of what they describe as unusually lenient treatment, the reasons for which remain unclear.

Spencer Kuvin is a Florida attorney who represented many of Epstein's accusers and brought several of the first lawsuits against him. Kuvin told CBS News that the woman's name never appeared on the official prison visitor logs that they obtained as part of that litigation. Kuvin says that he deposed her in 2010 while suing Epstein on behalf of an underage victim. Transcripts of that deposition show her pleading the Fifth and declining to answer questions.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting the lack of oversight by the local police department," Kuvin said.

"If all of this is true, they allow a sexual predator to continue his activities even while he was supposed to be in custody and it just highlights the nature of the sweetheart deal that he got and the preferential treatment he received because of his wealth," he said.

The testimony about the SUV came during a 2020 interview conducted by FBI agents in New York as part of the criminal investigation intoGhislaine Maxwell.

During the interview, the woman described what she characterized as a friendly relationship between Epstein and members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, along with minimal oversight during his incarceration. She said that when she and Epstein parked in the prison lot she "recalled flashlights in the parking lot, but no one ever came over to the car."

CBS News is withholding her name because she has recently identified herself as an Epstein victim. In the interview she also told investigators that Epstein had paid her hundreds of thousands of dollars after their relationship had ended because of the challenges she claimed to be having in finding employment due to negative publicity.

Advertisement

CBS News made multiple attempts to contact her through her attorneys but did not receive any response.

Over several interviews with federal investigators, documented in official interview notes known as 302s, she provided extensive details about her relationship with Epstein, including that during his incarceration she engaged in virtual sexual activity using a web-cam with him while he was apparently alone in custody.

"These interviews really show how grooming works," Adam Horowitz, another Florida attorney who represented many of Epstein's victims, told CBS News, "You're hearing the voice of someone who was conditioned to protect Epstein, even while describing the system he used to exploit young women."

Other details from the woman's FBI interview include that Epstein was particularly friendly with one prison guard who even visited Epstein's home to discuss a potential job while Epstein was in home confinement. She described a prank in which Epstein hid in a bathroom during a sheriff's inspection of his residence. She also said Epstein bragged about having an unfriendly probation officer transferred.

During her visits to the jail, she said she was never required to sign in or complete any paperwork.

In aseparate 2019 documentreleased by the DOJ, a man claiming to be a former part-time paramedic at the jail called in an uncorroborated tip to the FBI and stated that Epstein had paid for a closed section of the jail to be reopened for his use, to avoid being housed with the general population. The tipster called it "highly unusual preferential treatment."

In response to questions from CBS News, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department wrote, "We have no evidence to substantiate that these incidents took place."

A 2021 reportby the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department found no evidence that bribery or undue influence affected Epstein's treatment.

"A number of survivors have made clear that Epstein's exploitation did not stop during his incarceration." Lauren Hersh, director of the anti-trafficking group World Without Exploitation, told CBS News. "At best, Epstein's highly unusual arrangement demonstrates law enforcement's negligence. More likely, this is symptomatic of a system that prioritized accommodating a predator over delivering justice for survivors and protecting vulnerable girls and women."

Apparently some investigators at the DOJ never gave up hope of pursuing the case against Epstein.

"It was a shame. We had a great case," one employee said in a previously unreleased text included in the Epstein files. "I never gave up on it. I kept everything ready … in case the non prosecution agreement got voided."

Ten more years passed before Epstein was arrested again and charged in federal court with trafficking of minors in New York. He was found dead in aManhattan jail cellon Aug. 10, 2019, andhis deathwas ruled a suicide.

Expert weighs in on rescue missions for downed U.S. fighter jet, Trump's threats against Iran

Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie on the rescue of a U.S. airman and a "hard lesson for Iran"

Key details on Iran war after Trump posts profanity-laced threats

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

New details about Epstein's lenient plea deal revealed in DOJ files

Jeffrey Epstein's controversial 2008plea dealfor charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution has long drawn scrutiny, and...

Read More

ICE agents shoot and wound man during traffic stop in Central California

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot a man, who was then taken to a hospital, while attempting to arrest him during a targeted traffic stop Tuesday in California’s Central Valley, the agency said.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the ICE officers fired defensive shots after the person they stopped attempted to run an agent over, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

The shooting happened near Interstate 5 in Patterson, about 90 miles south of Sacramento.

DHS identified the person shot as Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant and “18th Street Gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder.”

Attorney Patrick Kolasinski, who is representing Mendoza Hernandez, disputed the DHS account of the encounter and said the agents may have mistaken his client for someone with a similar name, theAssociated Pressreported.

CNN reached out to Kolasinski for comment.

Mendoza Hernandez, a day laborer, has a 2-year-old daughter and is engaged to a US citizen, Kolasinski told the AP.

Mendoza Hernandez’s family wasn’t able to immediately see him in the hospital, but were told he was stable, Kolasinski added.

Two dashcam videos obtained by CNN show a car crossing over the highway lane divider after being surrounded by agents. One agent is seen running out of the way of the car. It’s not clear exactly when agents fired at the vehicle because the footage does not have sound.

“As officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over. Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public,” the DHS statement said.

DHS says its agents have been the target of increasing violence, citing more than180 vehicle attackssince Trump’s second term started. But the administration’s initial accounts of shootings involving federal agents have, in some cases, changed over time – or been proven wrong altogether.

The FBI is conducting an investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge Eugene Wu said. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office told CNN it’s assisting, and it confirmed no local law enforcement was involved with the incident.

Dashcam footage captures incident

At least three law enforcement agents are seen surrounding a black vehicle on a road near Interstate 5, video obtained by CNN shows. The black vehicle then backs up and its passenger-side door hits another car on the road.

Agents then point their guns at the vehicle as it stops for about two seconds. The car then turns left and crosses over the highway lane divider, while an agent runs out of the way of the car.

Advertisement

It’s not clear when exactly agents fired at the vehicle.

Christina Valencia, whose Tesla captured one of the videos obtained by CNN, said she noticed the flashing lights from her car.

“All of a sudden I heard like a shot fired … and then maybe like 10 seconds later, I heard about five or six more go off,” she said.

CNN cannot independently confirm Valencia’s account of the gunfire.

From there, the two agents ran to their trucks and then drove in the direction of the suspect, she said. They ultimately ended up under a nearby overpass.

When the shots started, she said she put her car in reverse. “I was scared because I was like there’s nowhere for me to go,” Valencia said.

Credibility of DHS accounts questioned in prior car-involved incidents

While agents have beensubjected to violencesince the start of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration last year, DHS has also at times faceda crisis of credibilityregarding claims it has made in the aftermath of some high-profile incidents. In arrests and use-of-force encounters across the country, versions provided by DHS of some eventshave been contradictedby eyewitness accounts and bystander video and challenged by independent judges.

Altercations in or around vehicles have been asteady symbolof the administration’s immigration crackdown, includingcar crashesbetween federal agents and people who try to flee, traffic stopsturned violentand alleged rammings involving pro-immigrant activists.

The phrase “weaponized his/her vehicle” has beenrepeated by officialsincluding former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem when she described Renee Good, a Minneapolis mother shot and killed by an ICE agent this year. Good’s death prompted widespread protests and her burgundy SUV has become a recognizable symbol of the chaotic immigration operations in Minneapolis.

The Trump administration has also come under criticism for deporting migrants it alleges are gang members, without providing evidence, such as in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. It accused wrongly deported Abrego Garcia of being an active member of MS-13 - a claim his lawyer and family deny. Abrego Garcia is currentlyfighting against deportationin federal court.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged federal law enforcement to collaborate with state and local partners in investigating Tuesday’s shooting.

“As is established practice, we expect our federal law enforcement partners to appropriately collaborate with state and local law enforcement as this matter is investigated,” Newsom’s office saidon X.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Melissa Gray and Jada Furlow contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

ICE agents shoot and wound man during traffic stop in Central California

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot a man, who was then taken to a hospital, while attempting to arrest him during a target...

Read More

Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas picks Jermod McCoy, builds up defense

Another year, another offseason of change for theDallas Cowboys.

A second consecutive seven-win season that ended in a third-place finish in the NFC East led to some changes on staff. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is out; in his place is former Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Christian Parker.

Dallas was relatively cash-strapped in free agency but still made some critical moves. Wide receiverGeorge Pickenswas a top free agent in this class and the teamplaced the franchise tagon him so the two sides can figure out a long-term deal.

The team made changes to the defensive personnel in addition to bringing in Parker. Dallas acquiredRashan Garyviatrade from Green Bayand signedOtito Ogbonniaon the defensive line.Jalen Thompson,P.J. LockeandCobie Durantbring some reinforcements in for the new-look secondary.

In the final days of the first week of free agency, Dallastraded awaydefensive tackleOsa Odighizuwato the San Francisco 49ers in return for a third-round pick in the2026 NFL Draft. That trade brought the team another top-100 selection after trading theirs away for Pickens (to Pittsburgh) andQuinnen Williams(to the New York Jets).

2026 NFL DRAFT:Ranking the top 150 best players available

Armed with a clearer picture of the roster and a Day 2 pick, here’s what we think the Cowboys’ draft could look like come April:

Dallas Cowboys mock draft

Round 1, No. 12 overall: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The Cowboys had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL in 2025 and brought in Christian Parker to revamp that unit. They’ll need more than just coaching improvements, though. McCoy looked like one of the best cornerbacks in the class in 2024 before missing the 2025 season with an ACL injury. If his medicals are all clear, he’d be a great value here as a plug-and-play starter with ideal size and a scheme-versatile skillset.

Advertisement

Round 1, No. 20 overall: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Rashan Gary’s a great add but this pass rush needs more bodies. Faulk is similarly sized and can set the edge against the run as a rookie. He has plenty of runway for development as one of the younger prospects in the class. At 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, he could move inside to offer some different looks in Parker’s defense.

Round 3, No. 92 overall: CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

One pick alone won’t solve the secondary, especially at cornerback. Rivers is undersized but plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and is a reliable presence in run defense. He spent much of his career at Duke on the outside and could fit well in the slot with some combination of Cobie Durant, McCoy andDaRon Blandoutside.

Round 4, No. 112 overall: LB Taurean York, Texas A&M

If York were three inches taller, he’d be a second-round pick. The 5-foot-11 linebacker was extremely reliable for the Aggies on defense with no time missed with injury. He’s fast enough to hang in coverage with great vision. The Cowboys’ linebacking corps has dealt with injuries a lot in recent years and should capitalize on a good linebacker class to get some key depth.

Round 5, No. 152 overall: WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma

George Pickens looks like he’s staying in Dallas for the foreseeable future. He andCeeDee Lambmake for the best 1-2 punch at wide receiver in the league.Jalen Tolbertdeparted for Miami in free agency which leaves a hole for the field-stretcher role in the pass-catching corps. Burks is an undersized burner (4.30-second 40-yard dash) who could stretch the field like Tolbert did for the offense.

Round 5, No. 177 overall: S VJ Payne, Kansas State

Dallas brought safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson via free agency but Parker could use a versatile defensive back to deploy over the second level. Payne took snaps at multiple positions in 2025 at free safety as well as in the box and the slot. He defends the run well despite his leaner frame (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) and he has the athleticism to hang in coverage with myriad assignments.

Round 5, No. 180 overall: OT Isaiah World, Oregon

The Cowboys run it back by taking another Oregon tackle on Day 3 as they did in 2025 withAjani Cornelius. World has tons of tools that show up in pass protection with his outlier length at 6-foot-8 and 312 pounds. His inconsistency is the reason he won’t go sooner; he’s a moldable player who could be a depth left tackle behindTyler Guyton.

Round 7, No. 218 overall: Edge George Gumbs Jr., Florida

Dallas went with a bigger edge rusher in Faulk earlier and take a flyer in the final round with a former wide receiver scratching the surface of his potential. Gumbs has impressive length (33 ⅝-inch arms at 6-foot-4) and great burst off the edge. He’s a work in progress but has the tools to become a rotational pass rusher with his array of moves already.

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Cowboys 2026 NFL mock draft: Dallas goes defense-heavy, lands top CB

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas picks Jermod McCoy, builds up defense

Another year, another offseason of change for theDallas Cowboys. A second consecutive seven-win season that ended in a third-plac...

Read More