By Cowboys Insider Staff – PML Network
Frisco, TX — It’s late in the evening at The Star, and the war room lights are still on. Head Coach Cody Hirsch and General Manager Will McClay sit in front of a glowing projector, college film looping on repeat. Highlight reels, scouting reports, draft analytics — all of it telling the story of the Cowboys’ future.
On the whiteboard behind them are three columns, each underlined in red:
WR. Defense. RT.
It’s not an accident. Those are the three pressure points that will define the Cowboys’ offseason — and perhaps the next five years of football in Dallas.
With two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 PML Draft, the Cowboys enter this offseason not in rebuild mode, but in reloading mode. And as the franchise balances playoff ambition with long-term vision, everything starts with one player: George Pickens.
The Pickens Factor: A Contract That Controls the Board
When the Cowboys traded for George Pickens, they were betting on untapped potential — a gifted, fiery receiver ready to become a true alpha. Two seasons later, that bet looks like a masterstroke.
Pickens has become the emotional tone-setter of the offense. His chemistry with Joe Milton III has turned the Cowboys’ passing game into one of the most feared in the NFC, and his toughness has set a new cultural standard in the locker room.
But now comes the business side. Pickens is entering a contract year, and negotiations are underway. Both sides want the same thing — stability — but the number has to make sense.
“George is the kind of competitor you build around,” Hirsch said earlier this week. “He’s earned the respect of this entire building. But in this league, you’ve got to be ready for every outcome.”
That uncertainty shapes everything about Dallas’ approach to the draft. If Pickens stays, the Cowboys will be free to double down on defense and the trenches. If he leaves, the war room’s focus shifts to finding the next great Cowboys wideout.
Scenario One: Pickens Re-Signed — Dallas Builds a Defensive Fortress
If Pickens signs a long-term extension, the offensive identity remains intact — a three-headed attack featuring Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, and the growing trust in Milton’s arm. That stability gives Hirsch and McClay the freedom to turn their full attention toward the defense, where a young, hungry core is just a few pieces away from elite.
The Blueprint for Defensive Dominance
The Cowboys’ defensive resurgence has already begun. With Damone Clark and Marist Liufau anchoring the middle, Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku emerging off the edge, and Shavon Revel Jr. stepping up as a dependable playmaker in the secondary, Dallas has built a foundation. Now it’s about finding the stars to finish the job.
Top Defensive Targets:
- DE T.J. Parker (Clemson) – The prototype of a Hirsch defender: violent hands, relentless motor, and positional versatility. Parker could rotate opposite Kneeland and give Dallas the two-headed pass-rush threat Hirsch has been craving.
- S Caleb Downs (Alabama) – Perhaps the most polished safety prospect to enter the draft in years. Downs would give the Cowboys a field general on the back end — an enforcer who can tackle like a linebacker and cover like a corner.
- LB Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) – A local star with a national reputation. Hill’s blend of speed, instincts, and physicality make him the ideal Hirsch linebacker. He’d join Clark and Liufau to form a three-level leadership core at the heart of the defense.
“We’ve been saying it for weeks,” said defensive coordinator Eli Mendez. “We’re one or two pieces away from having a top-five defense in this league. We’ve built the foundation — now it’s time to finish the wall.”
Hirsch’s defensive philosophy mirrors his personality: aggressive but calculated, fast but physical. With two first-round picks, Dallas can land a generational player like Downs or Hill while still adding depth at corner or edge later in the draft.
Scenario Two: If Pickens Walks — The Search for a New Star
If negotiations fall apart and Pickens hits the open market, Dallas will pivot fast. CeeDee Lamb remains the face of the receiving corps, but without Pickens’ vertical dominance, the Cowboys lose an essential part of their offensive identity: the ability to stretch defenses and win outside the numbers.
Hirsch and McClay have already identified a handful of first-round receivers who could replace that production — and perhaps, bring their own flair to the star.
Top Wide Receiver Targets:
- WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) – One of the most dynamic players in the draft, Tyson’s blend of speed and route artistry makes him an instant mismatch. His ability to create separation and make plays after the catch fits perfectly in Hirsch’s system of quick reads and deep shots.
- WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State) – The definition of a pro-ready receiver. Tate combines smooth route running with elite body control and toughness. He’s not a flash player — he’s a chain-mover, a tone-setter, and exactly the kind of technician Milton thrives with.
- WR Denzel Boston (Washington) – A physical marvel at 6’4”, Boston plays like a power forward in pads. His ability to win contested catches and dominate in the red zone gives Dallas the jump-ball weapon they’d lose if Pickens walks.
“You can’t replace George Pickens with one guy,” Hirsch said. “But you can find the next one. The draft is about finding players who fit what we believe in — toughness, precision, and pride.”
Expect Dallas to use one of its first-rounders on a receiver if Pickens departs — and the second on the trenches or defense to keep the roster balanced.
The Right Tackle Question: Protecting the Franchise
No matter what happens at receiver, one truth remains: protecting Joe Milton III is non-negotiable.
The Cowboys’ offensive line has quietly been one of the league’s most improved units, anchored by Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, and Cooper Beebe. But right tackle Terrance Steele has been under the microscope. Penalties and inconsistency have raised questions internally about whether the Cowboys need a new long-term solution at the position.
And if the right prospect is on the board, they won’t hesitate to make a move.
Top Offensive Line Targets:
- RT Kaydn Proctor (Alabama) – A physical specimen at 6’7”, 340 pounds, Proctor is a franchise tackle waiting to happen. He’s powerful enough to stonewall bull rushers but nimble enough to handle elite speed off the edge. His Alabama pedigree and poise make him a plug-and-play option if Dallas wants to upgrade immediately.
- RT Trevor Goosby (Texas) – A technician with light feet and pro-ready polish. Goosby doesn’t win with brute force; he wins with leverage, hand placement, and intelligence. His Texas roots and consistent Big 12 play make him a natural cultural fit in Dallas.
“It’s about protecting your investment,” Hirsch said. “Milton’s our guy. If we see a tackle who can anchor that right side for the next decade, we’ll pull the trigger.”
Upgrading Steele isn’t just about performance — it’s about longevity. With Milton’s rocket arm and the offense’s growing reliance on play-action and deep drops, securing both edges of the line will be vital to keeping the offense elite.
The Two-Pick Advantage: Power, Leverage, and Vision
Having two first-round picks is a rare luxury — especially for a team still contending. It gives McClay flexibility to control the board. Dallas can move up for a defensive cornerstone, stand pat and take two starters, or trade down and build depth.
Behind closed doors, the Cowboys’ scouting team has been running mock simulations for months. Each scenario ends with the same message written on the board in marker:
“BUILD FOR TODAY. PREPARE FOR TOMORROW.”
That’s been Hirsch’s mantra since his first day on the job. His vision is simple — never draft out of desperation, never sacrifice toughness for flash, and never lose control of the team’s identity.
“We don’t draft for hype,” Hirsch said. “We draft for impact. For guys who love football, who love the grind, who fit what the star means.”
Hirsch’s Culture: Accountability and Attitude
Cody Hirsch’s fingerprints are on every corner of this roster. From Damone Clark’s leadership on defense to CeeDee Lamb’s professionalism on offense, Hirsch has cultivated a culture defined by accountability, selflessness, and hunger.
Players talk about “The Standard” — a term Hirsch introduced in his first team meeting. It’s not just about how they play on Sundays, but how they prepare from Monday to Saturday.
That same mindset has filtered into the scouting department. Every draft target is graded not just on athleticism, but on mentality. Leadership, film study habits, body language — all of it matters.
“You can’t teach effort,” Hirsch often says. “You either love this game or you don’t. We’re looking for the ones who love it.”
The Big Picture: The Window Is Wide Open
The Cowboys’ rebuild is complete. This roster isn’t searching for an identity anymore — it’s refining one.
With Milton growing into a confident franchise quarterback, the offensive line solidifying, and a young defense finding its edge, Dallas is built to compete for years to come. The two first-round picks simply accelerate that growth.
If Pickens stays, expect a defense-first approach — building a unit that can carry Dallas deep into January.
If he walks, look for a receiver-heavy strategy — ensuring Milton’s development continues without interruption.
And in both cases, the Cowboys will keep their eyes on the trenches, ready to grab Kaydn Proctor or Trevor Goosby if the opportunity arises.
“The beauty of it is we control our future,” Hirsch said. “We’ve built something real here. Now it’s about finishing the job.”
Final Word: The Calm Before the Draft Room Storm
As the 2026 draft approaches, one thing is clear — the Dallas Cowboys aren’t reacting to the league anymore. They’re setting the tone.
Two first-round picks. A balanced roster. A locker room that believes.
Whether they extend Pickens, draft a new wideout, fortify the defense, or reinforce the trenches, one truth echoes through every meeting room at The Star:
This isn’t a rebuild. This is a reload — and the Cowboys are coming for everything.
