The Dallas Cowboys have options when it comes to the top of the 2026 NFL draft.
With multiple first-round picks in hand — Nos. 12 and 20 — Jerry Jones could go after two of the top prospects in the player pool, most likely in an effort to help reinforce the defense for next season.
However, those picks could also potentially be used to add more selections to the Cowboys’ bag in later rounds to secure the services of even more players. Dallas currently does not have any picks in the second, third or sixth rounds.
In the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid, his crystal ball says the Cowboys will forgo making a pick at No. 12, instead sending the pick to the New York Jets via trade.
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In return the Cowboys received pick No. 16, a 2026 fourth-round selection and seventh-round selection.
With the 16th pick, Dallas selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman.
“The Cowboys gave up the most points per game in the NFL last season (30.1) and the third-most yards per contest (377.0). They started to remake their secondary last season, and adding Thieneman, an active defender with positional and scheme versatility, would continue that process,” Reid said.
“Dallas specializes in two-high safety looks, and Thieneman is an excellent processor who can close on plays in a hurry. Dallas forced only 12 turnovers in 2025, and Thieneman has the ability to be a ball hawk while bringing physicality when stepping down against the run.”
The Cowboys would then double down on secondary help at No. 20, selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
“The Cowboys double dip in the secondary with Terrell, a prospect who scouts keep saying should go higher than expected. His physical mentality and competitive demeanor are easy to see, and he had one of the better on-field workouts of any corner at the combine,” Reid said.
“The Cowboys have holes to fill in the secondary around standout corner DaRon Bland, and Terrell would fit perfectly in the back end of new coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme.”
In the most recent mock draft from DMN’s Cowboys beat writer Joseph Hoyt, the Cowboys also landed two new members of the secondary. However, those picks came at the initial No. 12 and No. 20 slots.
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