The Dallas Cowboys had the worst pass defense in the NFL last season and they know it. Fixing the secondary is the priority this offseason and with multiple picks in the 2026 NFL Draft the Cowboys have real options to work with.
Monday’s Pro Day at the University of Miami drew over 100 NFL personnel and Dallas showed up in force. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, defensive coordinator Christian Parker and vice president of player personnel Will McClay were all in Coral Gables.
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Miami has some of the better defensive prospects in this class including two pass rushers drawing serious first-round attention.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on during the game against the New York Giants.Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
(Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
Cowboys legend Michael Irvin was also on hand. The former Miami star has stayed close to the program and was a regular presence during their National Championship run this season.
Standing next to Schottenheimer at Pro Day, Irvin made his pitch loud and clear.
“Coach and I @CanesFootball Pro Day. I told Coach we need as many guys as we can get from the U,” Irvin posted on X alongside a photo with the head coach.
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Hard to argue with him on that one. Dallas has a genuine need at nickel corner and one Miami defensive back in particular put himself squarely on the Cowboys’ radar Monday.
Keionte Scott ran an unofficial 4.25-second 40-yard dash at Pro Day though some scouts on site clocked him between 4.30 and 4.35. Either way the speed is real and his game film backs it up. Scott is considered one of the better nickel corner prospects in this class and given what Dallas is looking to fix in the secondary he fits the profile well.
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On the pass rush side defensive end Reuben Bain Jr. finished his final college season with 54 tackles and 9.5 sacks and projects as an early draft pick. The Cowboys hold the 12th overall selection and Bain may be off the board by then. His versatility and ability to get after the quarterback make him an attractive prospect but availability could be the issue.
Akheem Mesidor is another name worth watching. He actually outproduced Bain this past season with 63 tackles and 12.5 sacks but questions about his age and injury history have pushed his stock down. The No. 20 range is where evaluators currently see him landing which could put him in play for Dallas later in the first round.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.