FILE – Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Jay LaPrete/AP
After months of speculation, it’s almost time to find out whom the Cowboys will select in the 2026 NFL draft. Before that, let’s take one more shot at predicting those picks. Here’s our final seven-round mock draft for the Cowboys:
Projected trade
Dallas receives: 6th overall, 39th overall
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Cleveland receives: 12th overall, 20th overall, 152nd overall
Round 1, 6th overall (via Cleveland)
FILE – Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Minnesota during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Jay LaPrete/AP
The pick: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
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In this mock draft, just as we did with our full first-round mock draft the other day, we packaged the Cowboys’ two firsts and a fifth-round pick and traded it to the Cleveland Browns for the 6th overall pick and the 39th pick. I’m skeptical the Cowboys will actually move up, but there are only a handful of elite defenders in this draft for a defense that needs instant impact.
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Downs, in my opinion, is not only one of the best prospects in the draft, he might be a perfect extension of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Downs is smart, intuitive, and versatile — all things that Parker covets. They say the first pick of a head coach’s tenure can tell you a lot about their draft strategy. Maybe this year, the Cowboys’ first pick could tell a lot about the help they want to get their defensive coordinator.
Downs could fall to No. 12. The same could go for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. The Cowboys might wait and hope one of them falls. I just don’t think it’s a risk they can afford to take.
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Round 2, 39th overall (via Cleveland)
The pick: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
There’s a good chance that Rodriguez is gone by this point. There’s a chance other linebackers could go before him, however, like Georgia’s C.J. Allen or Texas linebacker Anthony Hill. I also think the Cowboys will be on the hunt for an edge early, which could change their thinking here. But Rodriguez just fits with the Cowboys. They have a need at the position. They need to force more turnovers, and no one forced more fumbles in college football last year. They went to dinner with him in Lubbock and got to know him through the draft process. If they can, and it makes sense, it’s hard for me to think they don’t end up with Rodriguez somehow.
Round 3, 92nd overall
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
The pick: Texas CB Malik Muhammad
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Muhammad won two state championships at AT&T Stadium as a star for South Oak Cliff. In this scenario, the Dallas kid gets to play his NFL home games there, too. The Cowboys got a close look at Muhammad at Texas’ pro day. He’s a competitor who would have the chance to earn a starting role right away with the Cowboys.
Round 4, 112th overall
The pick: Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham
I feel like Cowboys fans would be thrilled with the first three picks, but by the time the third round rolled around they’d be looking for an edge rusher. Ask and you shall receive. Barham is still developing as a pass rusher, but he has a ton of talent and athleticism. Here, or even in the third, would be a great place to add a rotational pass rusher with Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku.
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Round 5, 177th overall
Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson (4) breaks the tackle of James Madison cornerback Justin Eaglin (30) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore.
Mark Ylen/AP
The pick: Oregon WR Malik Benson
Benson is interesting. He started at a junior college and eventually made it to Alabama. He then transferred to Florida State, then transferred to Oregon one season later for his final season. At Oregon, he wasn’t a starter until they were hit with injuries. He caught fire late and became their leading receiver. He’s a competitor. Cowboys wide receiver coach Junior Adams, a former Oregon receivers coach, should have great insight on Benson.
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Round 5, 180th overall
The pick: Baylor TE Michael Trigg
Trigg has a ton of talent, but it’ll be up for NFL teams to develop it. Trigg has extremely long arms and a wingspan that placed him in the 99th percentile of tight end prospects since 2011. He has spectacular catch ability, too. I expect the Cowboys to draft a tight end at some point in this draft. This feels like a good area, whether it’s Trigg or someone else.
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Round 7, 218th overall
Wyoming offensive tackle Caden Barnett (72) warms up before an NCAA football game against Arizona State on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri/AP
The pick: Wyoming OL Caden Barnett
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Barnett wasn’t a combine invite, but he probably should’ve been. He’s athletic and experienced at multiple positions. He started his career at tackle and finished as a guard. He even could play center at the next level. He would give the Cowboys a versatile depth piece on the inside, which is needed after Brock Hoffman’s departure.