The 2026 NFL Draft is just over a month away. While every draft is important, this year comes with some added pressure for the Dallas Cowboys. After a somewhat active free agency period, the Cowboys still have plenty of needs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, that they have to address in the draft.
Today, we take a look at four different paths Dallas could take in this year’s draft. Let us know which draft path you like best in the comments section.
In this scenario, the Cowboys get lucky and a premium defender slides to their pick at number 12. This allows Dallas to stay put and use all four of their draft picks on positions of need.
Pro Football Focus
Why it works: Getting Mansoor Delane would be an instant upgrade to Dallas’ secondary. The former LSU Tiger profiles as a day one starter at cornerback and would give the Cowboys some much-needed insurance in case Daron Bland or Shavon Revel are unable to stay healthy. After getting a top talent at pick 12, Dallas can take some chances on players with higher ceilings and lower floors, like edge Keldric Faulk.
Why it may not: As good a player as Delane is, Dallas would be relying heavily on the long-term projection of Faulk in this draft scenario. While the Auburn edge may end up having a productive career, Dallas needs someone who can come in and make an impact rushing the passer right away, something Faulk may not be able to do. Also, waiting on a linebacker until the third round would likely force Dallas to sign an outside free agent at the position, as Deontae Lawson may not be able to step in and start right away.
Path #2: Aggressive Trade Up
In this scenario, the Cowboys make an aggressive move to ensure they will land one of the top defenders in the draft class. Dallas targets the Cleveland Browns at pick number six, sacrificing plenty of draft capital to move up and select Texas Tech edge, David Bailey.
Cowboys Trade Picks 1.12, 1.20, and 4.112 to Browns for Picks 1.6 and 2.39
Cowboys Trade Value – 2120
Browns Trade Value – 2110
Pro Football Focus
Why it works: While Dallas is sacrificing both of its first-round picks in this move, acquiring one of the best defenders in the draft class may be worth the steep cost. Bailey would be a perfect fit in Dallas’ defense and is the difference-making pass rusher they so desperately need. Along with Bailey, the Cowboys would add two talented Texas Longhorn defenders in linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and cornerback Malik Muhammad.
Why it may not: As amazing as it would be to acquire Bailey, sacrificing pick 1.20 would be hard to swallow. Even though Dallas has added some decent players in free agency, they still need multiple starting-caliber defenders if they want to be a competitive defensive unit next season. Bailey would certainly be that, but moving your second first-round pick lessens the chance of adding two day one starters in the draft. While both Hill and Muhammad have some projectable traits, neither is as much of a sure thing as the player Dallas would select at pick 20.
Path #3: Aggressive Trade Back
In this scenario, all of the top defenders are off the board, putting the Cowboys in a tough spot. Instead of sticking and picking a player with some question marks like Jermod McCoy, Dallas takes advantage of a team looking to move up, making a significant trade down in the draft. The Chargers, looking to add receiver Jordan Tyson or Makai Lemon, make the Cowboys a good offer to move up 10 spots to pick 12.
Cowboys Trade Pick 1.12 to the Chargers for Picks 1.22, 2.55, and 4.123
Cowboys Trade Value – 1200
Chargers Trade Value – 1179
Pro Football Focus
Why it works: The trade with the Chargers would give the Cowboys an additional two top 125 picks, including four picks in the top 100. Moving down 10 spots is significant, but acquiring Los Angeles’ second-round selection at pick 55 could be extremely valuable in adding quality depth to their defense. Acquiring the additional picks gives the Cowboys a chance to take cornerback Avieon Terrell at pick 20 and talented linebacker Jacob Rodriguez at pick 22. To go with Terrell and Rodriguez, Dallas adds edge Joshua Josephs and safety Zakee Wheatley in rounds two and three, two guys who should be able to make a decent impact in year one.
Why it may not: Moving back would give the Cowboys some valuable additional draft capital, but it also would pose some major risks. While Dallas did end up with a decent haul, moving back 10 spots could put the Cowboys in a bad place if a significant number of defenders go in picks 12-20. In this draft, Dallas lucked out with both Terrell and Rodriguez being there at 20 and 22, but there is a scenario where they move down, and both of them, plus other defenders at positions of need, are off the board. This would put the Cowboys in a bad spot, where they may have to reach for second-round talent to address their defensive needs.
In this scenario, the Cowboys get on the clock at pick 12, and there are still multiple defenders available that they are comfortable selecting. Dallas uses this to move down three spots and gain some draft capital, making a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cowboys Trade Pick 1.12 to the Buccaneers for Picks 1.15 and 3.77
Cowboys Trade Value – 1200
Buccaneers Trade Value – 1255
The Cowboys aren’t done there. After gaining an additional third-round pick, Dallas uses that selection to move back into the second round to select a sliding linebacker.
Cowboys Trade Picks 3.77 and 3.92 to the Chargers for Pick 2.55
Cowboys Trade Value – 337
Chargers Trade Value – 350
Pro Football Focus
Why it works: In this scenario, the Cowboys make a smart move. With multiple defensive prospects still available at pick 12, Dallas moves down three spots to recoup an additional third-round pick. Dallas still gets one of their top defensive targets, selecting Miami edge Akheem Mesidor at pick 15, as well as picking up Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood at pick 20. After adding two instant contributors in round one, Dallas uses the additional acquired draft capital to move back into the second round and pick up sliding linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. The trio of Mesidor, Hood, and Hill would give Dallas’ three defenders at positions of need who could make an impact in 2026.
Why it may not: As we mentioned in the previous path, trading down comes with some risk. While the Cowboys take on much less risk moving down just three spots rather than 10 in scenario #3, they still open themselves up to getting jumped by a team looking to acquire one of their top defenders. Dallas also takes a big gamble making the trade to move back into the second round and select Anthony Hill Jr. If he is a day-one starter, it’s a great deal. If he can’t make a positive impact right away, sacrificing two third-round picks that could have added some depth could end up hurting their defense in the long run.