Dallas Cowboys Eye Defensive Upgrades with Key First-Round Draft Picks

Dallas Cowboys Eye Defensive Upgrades with Key First-Round Draft Picks

The Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on a defense that struggled last season, allowing an NFL-worst 30.1 points per game. This marked the second-highest points per game surrendered in the franchise's history, only surpassed by their 1960 team. Quarterback Dak Prescott expressed optimism about the upcoming draft, where the Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th overall picks. He highlighted the excitement of potentially adding impactful players, especially following a busy offseason that included the trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Key Acquisitions S Jalen Thompson: 3 years, $33 million (with $22 million guaranteed) CB Cobie Durant: 1 year, $4 million (with $1.5 million guaranteed) DE Rashan Gary: Acquired from Green Bay, signed a revised 2-year, $32 million contract Draft Projections 12th Overall Pick Options: S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): A top safety prospect with versatile skills. LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State): An athletic linebacker with a background in safety. CB Mansoor Delane: A reliable corner with an outstanding pass defense record. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.: Led the nation in quarterback pressures, yet undersized for the NFL. S Dillon Thieneman: A versatile safety who could play multiple roles. 20th Overall Pick Options: EDGE Keldric Faulk (Auburn): A prospect with ideal size but limited collegiate production. EDGE Akheem Mesidor: ACC sack leader with plug-and-play potential. CB Colton Hood: A young corner with a knack for scoring. LB Jacob Rodriguez: A turnover machine and award-winning linebacker from Texas Tech. EDGE Cashius Howell: A potential late-round sleeper. As the Cowboys aim to bolster their defense, the upcoming draft presents an opportunity to reshape their team for a more competitive season.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-20