By Cowboys Insider | PML Coverage
Hirsch’s Blueprint: Building Through Character
The Dallas Cowboys didn’t treat the late rounds of the 2026 PML Draft as filler — they treated them as opportunity.
After four rounds of foundational selections that fortified both lines and retooled the defense, Head Coach Cody Hirschand GM Will McClay entered Rounds 5-7 with a clear mission: find competitors who embody the Cowboys’ culture.
And they did just that, selecting:
- CB Avion Terrell (Clemson)
- LE Vincent Anthony Jr. (Duke)
- MLB Javon Wright (Nebraska)
- OLB Trey Moore (Texas)
Each pick adds layers to the team’s depth chart — and, more importantly, to its identity.
“We don’t draft placeholders,” Hirsch said. “We draft workers. Guys who know how to push the standard, not just meet it.”
Round 5 — CB Avion Terrell (Clemson): Technique and Tenacity
With their fifth-round pick, Dallas selected Avion Terrell, the cerebral Clemson corner who plays with a veteran’s patience and a rookie’s hunger.
At 5’11”, 190 pounds, Terrell was one of the most disciplined corners in the ACC — rarely out of position and always in phase. He mirrors routes with precision, trusts his eyes, and thrives in competitive press situations.
Why He Fits Dallas
The Cowboys’ secondary is young, talented, and aggressive — led by Martin Emerson Jr., Daron Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., and Kaiir Elam. Terrell’s polish and football IQ fit seamlessly into Al Harris’s man-match defense, giving Dallas a technical corner who can step in right away on special teams and sub-packages.
“He’s got that Clemson discipline,” said DC Al Harris. “Every snap looks the same — calm, focused, competitive. That’s what translates.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Fluid hips, anticipation, calm at the catch point, excellent footwork
- Weaknesses: Average length; can be overpowered by bigger receivers
- NFL Comparison: Kenny Moore II — compact, instinctive, reliable
Projected Role
Terrell will begin as CB5 and a special-teams gunner, but his technique could earn him early nickel reps. Expect him to be in the conversation for rotational snaps by mid-season.
Round 6 — LE Vincent Anthony Jr. (Duke): Technician with a Motor
In Round Six, Dallas doubled back to the defensive line, grabbing Vincent Anthony Jr. from Duke — a polished edge defender whose effort and discipline jump off the film.
At 6’4”, 265 pounds, Anthony isn’t the flashiest athlete, but he’s as steady as they come. He wins with leverage, patience, and a non-stop motor that screams “Cowboys DNA.”
Why He Fits Dallas
Coach Hirsch values consistency over hype, and Anthony delivers that. Coming out of Duke, he played in a pro-style defense that emphasized gap control and technique — exactly what Dallas asks of its rotational linemen.
“Vincent’s the type of guy you can trust to execute the plan,” said DL coach Marcus Dixon. “He’s coachable, disciplined, and reliable — he makes the room better.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Pad discipline, hand placement, motor, reads blocking schemes
- Weaknesses: Not an elite burst athlete; limited bend off the edge
- NFL Comparison: Tano Kpassagnon — steady, powerful, and technically refined
Projected Role
Anthony will rotate behind Donovan Ezeiruaku and Patrick Payton at left end, providing depth on early downs and in heavy sets. His technique and effort make him an ideal fourth lineman in Dallas’ multi-front packages.
Round 6 (Comp) — MLB Javon Wright (Nebraska): The Thinker in the Middle
Later in Round Six, Dallas selected Javon Wright, an athletic linebacker from Nebraska who brings brains, range, and versatility to the second level.
Wright is a former safety turned linebacker, standing 6’3”, 230, with sideline-to-sideline range and natural leadership instincts. He’s the type of player who thrives in Dallas’ defensive culture — selfless, vocal, and always prepared.
“He’s a communicator,” said LB coach Scott McCurley. “He sees the formation, calls it out, and gets everyone lined up. That’s rare for a rookie.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Film study, pursuit speed, open-field tackling, communication
- Weaknesses: Still learning to stack-and-shed vs. NFL-size linemen
- NFL Comparison: Eric Kendricks — instinctive leader with range and awareness
Projected Role
Wright will compete behind Damone Clark and Shemar James, likely earning his stripes on special teams early. Long-term, his instincts could make him the next leader of the linebacker corps — a perfect heir to Clark’s role down the line.
Round 7 — OLB Trey Moore (Texas): The Hometown Hunter
The Cowboys closed their 2026 draft by keeping things local — selecting Trey Moore, the explosive pass-rusher from the University of Texas.
At 6’2”, 240 pounds, Moore was one of the most productive defenders in college football, finishing his senior season with 11.5 sacks and 20 TFLs for the Longhorns. He’s quick off the ball, plays with violent hands, and has that classic Texas edge every Cowboys fan loves.
Why He Fits Dallas
Moore’s versatility is what sold Dallas. He can stand up as a SAM linebacker or put his hand in the dirt as a situational rusher. His flexibility makes him a perfect fit in Al Harris’s hybrid looks, especially in third-down sub-packages where Dallas loves to send speed from multiple angles.
“He plays angry — the right kind of angry,” Hirsch said. “He’s one of those guys who changes the tone of practice.”
Scouting Snapshot
- Strengths: Explosive first step, finishing power, lateral quickness, relentless motor
- Weaknesses: Shorter frame for edge; still refining coverage instincts
- NFL Comparison: Haason Reddick — twitchy, undersized edge who wins with burst and leverage
Projected Role
Moore will start as a rotational SAM linebacker and core special-teamer, but his pass-rush flashes could earn him a situational role by mid-season. Expect Dallas to unleash him in NASCAR fronts alongside Uiagalelei, Kneeland, and Ezeiruaku.
Coach Hirsch’s Take: The Finishing Pieces
Rounds 5–7 perfectly capture what Coach Hirsch calls the “Cowboys second layer” — players who may not start in September, but win games in December.
“Every playoff team needs that next wave,” Hirsch said. “Guys who step up when injuries hit, who play smart and fearless. That’s what this group gives us.”
Projected Depth Chart Additions
Secondary:
- CB Avion Terrell → Developmental CB5/6, special teams gunner
Defensive Line:
- LE Vincent Anthony Jr. → Rotational depth, early-down containment
Linebacker Corps:
- MLB Javon Wright → Backup MIKE/WILL, special-teams communicator
- OLB Trey Moore → Hybrid SAM/sub-rusher, blitz-package specialist
Final Word
The Cowboys’ 2026 draft class ended the same way it began — with focus, physicality, and purpose.
Avion Terrell brings the technique and confidence of a veteran corner.
Vincent Anthony Jr. adds the reliability and discipline of a technician’s technician.
Javon Wright restores depth and leadership to the linebacker room.
Trey Moore injects pure Texas-bred pass-rush energy.
Together, they complete one of the most cohesive, character-driven draft classes in the PML — a perfect reflection of what Coach Hirsch has built in Dallas:
a team built to last, from stars to special teams.
“We drafted a locker room,” Hirsch concluded. “And that’s how you build a winner.”
