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).
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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.
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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
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4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
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5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
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7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
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9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
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10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
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11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
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12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
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13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
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16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah
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18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
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19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama
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22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson
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23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
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24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
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25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
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26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
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29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
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32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
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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