With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys can do a ton of damage and become NFC East favorites. As of now, Dallas has the best quarterback in the division and a now second-year head coach in Brian Schottenheimer who does appear to be the right man for the job.
With major defensive changes already happening, Dallas is attempting to retake control of the NFC East, and they could do so in an aggressive way in the NFL Draft:
"Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) are believed to be players whom the Cowboys would maneuver for, as Dallas reportedly sees both as instant-impact game changers on defense." -- Jordan Reid
Dallas might be prepared to do what it takes to make the remaining moves on defense to become favorites. Let's see how that could look in the NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys massive trade up lands them a game-changing prospect to become NFC East favorites
4th Overall (via TEN) - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
If the Cowboys like Rueben Bain Jr. enough to trade up for him, don't be shocked if Jerry Jones makes the move. Dallas has picks 12 and 20 in Round 1, so it's not like they don't have the ammunition to make this type of move.
Bain is an elite prospect and has bend that you simply don't see in pass-rushers. The Tennessee Titans, on the flip side of this deal, would be getting some extra draft capital to move down, suddenly having two first-round picks.
With Tennessee building for the future and Dallas clearly building for the present, these two teams could easily get together on a trade. Dallas has needed another pass-rusher ever since they traded Micah Parsons.
The Cowboys added Rashan Gary this offseason via trade and trade up in this mock draft for Bain.
66th Overall (via TEN) - Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
With the other pick that Dallas got for moving down, they take Jake Golday, a linebacker prospect from Cincinnati. Nearly the side of an EDGE rusher, Golday's physical presence will be clearly felt on defense. He's also a much better athlete than you think and just oozes potential.
The Cowboys absolutely have to find an upgrade in the middle of the defense, but this unit might just be players like Bain and Golday away from becoming special.
92. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Further enhancing the defense here, the Cowboys take Domonique Orange from Iowa State at pick 92 in our latest mock draft. Orange could immediately come in on early downs to help against the run, and given that the Cowboys have tweaked their defensive line a good bit, it's not necessarily a first-round need right now, but a later addition might be more appropriate here.
112. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Sam Roush is a complete tight end prospect and is honestly flying under the radar a bit. He has both blocking and receiving ability and could develop into a future two-phase starter at the position.
152. Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
Adding more help in the backfield, the Cowboys take Seth McGowan from Kentucky and begin to sniff out some depth options for the bottom of the roster.
177. Louis Moore, S, Indiana
Louis Moore had six interceptions for Indiana in 2025 and has 51 games of collegiate experience. The amount of football he has under his belt and ball skills are going to be immediately felt in the Dallas defense for new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker.
180. Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
Despite being under six feet and not even weighing 300 pounds, Landon Robinson from Navy plays a lot stronger than his size and profiles as a competent backup in the right system.
218. Owen Heinecke, LB, Oklahoma
Lastly, the Cowboys snag more linebacker help with Owen Heinecke from Oklahoma. The middle of that defense was shaky last year, so double-dipping at the position makes sense.