Key Points
Bullet point summary by AI
- The Dallas Cowboys hold two first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20 in the 2026 NFL Draft with defense as their top priority.
- Jerry Jones must avoid gambling on prospects lacking ideal upside or positional fit to secure viable Super Bowl contenders.
- Success hinges on selecting players who can immediately elevate a defense needing top-half finishes to complement Dak Prescott's offense.
Jerry Jones is not going to fire himself from being the General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys anytime soon. That does not mean he should not feel real pressure to nail both of his franchise's first round picks in this year's NFL Draft. It's crucial for the Cowboys to come away with difference-makers at No. 12 and No. 20 if they want to emerge as viable Super Bowl contenders in 2026.
Expect the Cowboys to think long and hard about using both of their Round 1 selections on defense. The offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, has the potential to be a top-five unit in the NFL if their key players stay healthy. The defense, in sharp contrast, would love to secure a top-half finish when the regular season is said and done.
What are the Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft needs?
- Linebacker
- EDGE
- Cornerback
Nabbing a playmaking linebacker in Round 1 could do a lot to boost the unit's overall effectiveness. Securing an edge rusher to help ease the loss of Micah Parsons could also be a top priority for Jones and his front office. Finally, landing a true No. 1 corner would help everyone fall into place for the Dallas secondary.
The key for Jones is to make sure he doesn't take an irresponsible gamble in the first round. He should avoid these five polarizing prospects at all costs.
Akheem Mesidor is too old for the Cowboys to draft in Round 1
If Akheem Mesidor was 21-years-old thent he Cowboys might be justified in sprinting to the podium to snap him up at No. 12. Instead, he's a 25-year-old prospect that should be avoided by savvy front offices in Round 1.
This is not a knock on Mesidor's ability to make an immediate impact in the pros. He projects as an above average pass rusher who can also set the edge against the run. The problem here is that he'll be pushing 30 at the end of his rookie contract. That greatly diminishes his potential value for a franchise that needs to hit on some second contracts in this year's draft class.
Taking Mesidor out of the mix might push Dallas out of the edge rushing market in Round 1, but focusing on cornerback and linebacker would be a solid pivot for the front office. The Cowboys should let someone else gamble on a rookie who will be older than plenty of his new teammates from previous draft classes.
Omar Cooper Jr. is not a potential replacement for George Pickens
It's reasonable for the Cowboys to consider taking a wide receiver in Round 1 if they believe George Pickens will be out of their future price range. Teams like the Eagles regularly get kudos from the media by making draft picks to fill needs that might not pop up for another 12 months.
Former Indiana standout Omar Cooper Jr. is a good enough wideout to merit serious consideration somewhere in the middle of Round 1. From a pure value standpoint, he'd be a reasonable draft pick for the Cowboys to consider.
The potential miss her for Dallas is that Cooper is not a like-for-like replacement for Pickens. Some scouts think he might be able to hold up on the outside but his skillset will be much better utilized in the slot. The same can be said for current Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb.
No one should complain if Dallas goes for a receiver in Round 1, but they need to focus on players who can thrive on the perimeter. Cooper doesn't fit that description and should be allowed to fall to another team.
Keldric Faulk does not possess enough juice for the Cowboys front
Former Auburn star is a relatively young prospect who has all the athletic tools NFL defensive coordinators want to see from draft prospects. The problem with his fit in Dallas is that he doesn't have enough burst off the line of scrimmage to really supercharge the defensive line.
Faulk played outside in college, but his lack of speed on the perimeter limited his ability to rush the passer effectively. There's a strong chance that the lion's share of his pass rushing reps in the NFL will come from the tackle spot. The Cowboys' need on the inside is not as severe as their lack of juice on the outside.
Pretty unimpressed with what I'm seeing from Keldrick Faulk for 2 reasons.
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) February 8, 2026
1) A lot of sloppy hand movement when he's trying to fight the OLs punch pic.twitter.com/h7xrqX3uMV
Faulk might grow into a productive defensive lineman in time, but his lack of speed and technique make him too much of a project for the Cowboys. They should not be the franchise that gambles on his potential midway through the first round.
Brandon Cisse is a Round 1 athlete whose technique issues should relegate him to Round 2
Finding a starting outside cornerback in Round 1 is an absolute need for the Cowboys in this year's draft. That does not mean they should reach for a lesser tier of corner if the top-tier of defensive backs go off the board before the No. 12 pick.
The Cowboys should instead approach this cornerback class as Jermod McCoy or Mansoor Delane or bust in Round 1. Brandon Cisse might appeal to some NFL decison-makers because of his excellent athletic profile, but his lack of polish should force him down into Round 2 or beyond.
The Cowboys should absolutely be players for Cisse and other corners after they exit the first round, but reaching for a starter at a position of need is a good way to ruin a draft class. Cisse and a handful of other corners might go off the board in Round 1 after McCoy and Delane, but Dallas doesn't need to be the team that makes that mistake.
Zion Young lacks the upside the Cowboys need to find in Round 1
The value of productive edge rushers in the modern NFL gives former Missouri star Zion Young a real chance to hear his name called on Day One. His excellent motor is going to make him a favorite for defensive coaches who prioritize culture and effort over athletic gifts.
That's a useful philosophy to deploy on the middle rounds, but it's a recipe for disaster in Round 1. This draft class is littered with defensive ends who have more upside than Young. Many of those speed players will be available in Round 2 and beyond for savvy NFL talent evaluators.
Young is a good bet to carve out a long, productive NFL career, but he's a poor bet to develop into anything more than a slightly above-average starter. That's not enough upside for the Cowboys to gamble on in Round 1. Young is a player who should be left of Dallas' board until Round 2 at the absolute earliest.