With the 2026 Draft approaching, the Cowboys find themselves in a position to lean heavily on defense. Two first-round picks give them the flexibility to address multiple needs — edge rush, secondary, maybe linebacker or interior defensive line — and build a unit that can compete week in and week out.
Here are projections for their two first-rounders in 2026, with real prospects who fit the Cowboys’ scheme and current roster construction.
Defensive Landscape & Cowboys’ Needs
- The Cowboys have consistently had a strong offense, but defensive breakdowns, especially in pass rush and in covering top receivers, have cost them close games.
- Key areas of improvement:
- Edge Rusher – someone who can win one-on-one matchups, collapse the pocket, generate consistent pressure without having to blitz heavily.
- Cornerback / Defensive Back – a shutdown or versatile corner, especially given injuries and questions in the secondary.
- With two picks in Round 1, Dallas can (and should) target one in the front seven, one in the back end.
Top Defensive Prospects in 2026 to Watch
Here are some of the leading college defensive names likely to be in play, especially for the first round. These are based on current scouting / mock-draft / positional rankings:
| Prospect | Position | School | What They Bring / Upside |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson | A high-ceiling pass rusher. Powerful, good burst, strong production in tackles for loss, sacks, and pressures. Yardbarker+2PFF+2 |
| Caleb Downs | Safety (versatile) | Ohio State | Outstanding in both pass coverage and run support. Can play multiple DB roles (free safety, slot, etc.), which gives defensive flexibility. CBSSports.com+2PFF+2 |
| Jermod McCoy | Cornerback | Tennessee | Has shown elite coverage skills. Although recovering from injuries, his upside is among the highest in the CB class. CBSSports.com+2ESPN.com+2 |
| Avieon Terrell | Cornerback | Clemson | Good size, good coverage skills, solid in zone and man matchups. Could be a reliable CB1 or CB2 depending on scheme. PFF+3ESPN.com+3NFL Draft Buzz+3 |
| Keldric Faulk | Defensive End / EDGE | Auburn | More of a power edge; perhaps less flashy but strong against the run, good at holding up as blocker, and shows ability as pass rusher. Yardbarker+1 |
Mock Picks for Dallas Cowboys, Round 1 (2026)
Here’s how I’d project Dallas using its two first-rounders:
| Pick | Prospect | Position | Why Dallas Picks Him |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round, Pick ~10-15 | T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) | Edge Rusher | Dallas grabs Parker with its first 1-rounder. He gives them the kind of disruptive edge they’ve lacked. A powerful, young rusher who can set the edge against the run and get after the quarterback in passing downs. With him, the Cowboys would be less reliant on blitzing or stunts to get pressure. |
| First Round, Pick ~24-28 | Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee) | Cornerback | With their second 1st rounder, Dallas addresses its secondary need. McCoy, when healthy, has the traits to be a shutdown corner or at least a very high-quality boundary CB. This helps balance their defense — pass rush + coverage. If McCoy is off the board, Avieon Terrell or maybe even Caleb Downs (if they think they can shift him to corner or heavily rotate safeties) are strong alternatives. |
Alternative Scenarios
- If Parker is gone by the first Dallas pick, they could go with Keldric Faulk for edge, or pivot to Caleb Downs for a premium safety (if the board allows), then use their second pick on a CB.
- If injuries affect some prospects (e.g. McCoy’s health is a concern in some mocks), Dallas might consider trading down slightly or picking someone like Avieon Terrell or Malik Muhammad (who is often mentioned among the top CBs) as backups or developmental CB1s. NFL Draft Buzz+1
Projected Impact
- These two picks would significantly upgrade the Cowboys’ defensive core. Parker bolsters the line, pushing the edge, and McCoy (or an equivalent) shores up the back end.
- This gives the coaching staff flexibility: fewer blitzes required, more trust in man coverage, better matching against teams with multiple receivers.
- Depth remains crucial; they still need good rotational pieces, safety depth, defensive tackle strength, etc., but this kind of first round haul would set the tone.
