Most Dallas Cowboys mocks out there have the team selecting two defensive prospects with their two first-round picks. Right now, Dallas is picking with the 12th and 20th selections. Having two picks in the top-20 is some incredible value, but obviously, not having Micah Parsons in the mix is notable.
To give this team credit, though; it seems like they've made some strides on the defensive side of the ball. Going from Matt Eberflus to Christian Parker is already a major upgrade, and adding the likes of Jalen Thompson and Rashan Gary are going to boost this unit a bit.
But the 2026 NFL Draft is where this team can make some worthwhile changes. In this latest Cowboys mock draft, Jerry Jones throws all of us a major curveball.
Updated Dallas Cowboys mock draft sees Jerry Jones throwing a major curveball
12. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Starting tight end Jake Ferguson definitely regressed a bit in 2025, and he's just largely not a huge difference-maker at the position. The Cowboys could add another threat on offense and lean into what they do well, which is throwing the ball. Adding Kenyon Sadiq would give Dallas a consistent player who both blocks and receives well.
And along with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams on offense, Dallas would be impossible to stop. Getting that much better on offense would take a ton of pressure off the defense, but additions are still coming.
20. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The hard-hitting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be the second safety off the board after Caleb Downs. While the Cowboys could benefit more from a linebacker or pass-rusher, McNeil-Warren is too good to pass up. Toledo has had some recent defensive back success with Quinyon Mitchell, and the Cowboys know all about him.
McNeil-Warren is going to thrive against the run and is also going to feast near the line of scrimmage.
92. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Elijah Sarratt is more of a late-down possession receiver. He's not overly fast, quick, or athletic, but he does excel with the more finer parts of the game and is going to be someone who comes up big-time on third and fourth downs, and even in the redzone.
There also might be a chance that the Cowboys could have to choose, in the future, between Pickens or Lamb, so the team can't just assume that their lethal duo is going to remain together for years despite both still being rather young.
112. LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
Now back to the defensive side of the ball here, the Cowboys take LT Overton from Alabama. They do have to get to the quarterback at a higher rate in 2026. Overton is just 21 years old but does already have some nice power. He's not the twitchiest player and is going to win by out-manning his opponent.
152. Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
Keyshaun Elliott had 98 total tackles, seven sacks, and two passes defended for Arizona State in 2025. Dallas needs to find some linebacker help, but we can't pretend like this team can't also dip into the free agency market for some immediate production.
Sure, it might be nice to draft someone like Sonny Styles in Round 1, but there are an endless amount of draft scenarios that could prevent Dallas from doing that.
177. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Now back into the secondary, the Cowboys take Thaddeus Dixon from North Carolina. Along with signing Thompson and drafting McNeil-Warren, the Cowboys also signed veteran safety PJ Locke III.
180. Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
At 6-1 and nearly 330 pounds, Tim Keenan is a bowling ball of a human and is going to win with his leverage and power. Someone like him could already come in and be an immediate plus against the run.
218. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
To wrap up, the Cowboys add their third defensive back of this mock draft and take Andre Fuller from Toledo, capping off a defensive-heavy but still shocking mock draft.