The Dallas Cowboys have to get much more serious on the defensive side of the ball here in the 2026 offseason. Luckily, Dallas has two first-round picks in 2026, but they also did trade Micah Parsons, so it's no shock that the defense took a major step back in 2025.
With as efficient as the offense is, though, Dallas may only need to field an average defense to get back into the postseason. When you look at the roster overall, this team doesn't really have a ton of needs outside of the weaknesses on defense.
Yes, the team has to figure out what to do with players like George Pickens and Javonte Williams, but there are obvious solutions out there. If the Cowboys nail this offseason, we could be talking about them being a favorite in the NFC East in 2026. Let's see if this mock draft puts the team on the right track.
Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Defense Edition
12. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is the best linebacker in the class and is going to be a top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys obviously need help at the LB position. Styles can do a bit of everything and could truly be a long-term piece here in the middle of the defense. The LB also has 53 games of collegiate experience, so that surely has to help his transition into the NFL.
20. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Brandon Cisse will only be 21 years old by the time the 2026 NFL Season rolls around. He's a high-ceiling player with insane athleticism and a first-round talent at CB. Dallas has had a ton of talent in the CB room recently, but the group just did not stay healthy consistently, so it's time for a reset on the backend of the defense.
Safety is also a need, but there is typically a rather strong free agent class at that position, and CB is more valuable in today's NFL. So far, so good for Dallas.
112. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Another experienced player, Gabe Jacas had 19 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons for Illinois. It's not a shock that the Cowboys need some EDGE help after the departure of Micah Parsons via trade. This could be more of a pass rush by committee in 2026 and beyond.
150. Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Domani Jackson could be a steal at pick 150 for the Cowboys. It's the second CB they've taken in this mock draft. The effort comes into question sometimes, but all it takes for a player like this is the right type of coach to believe in him. All four of the Cowboys picks thus far have been on the defensive side of the ball in a clear effort to improve their defense.
177. Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU
Jordan Hudson is a lower-ceiling player in the NFL but might have the potential to develop into a nice rotational piece in the Cowboys WR room. He had 21 touchdown receptions across his career and caught 144 passes. It's another very experienced collegiate player for Dallas.
215. Robert Henry Jr, RB, UTSA
Averaging nearly seven yards per carry in 2025, Robert Henry Jr from UTSA ran for a career-high 1,045 yards in 2025. He has 27 career touchdowns on the ground, and with how well-coached the Cowboys run offense is, there is a path for a rookie RB to instantly thrive here. Heck, I would not be shocked if Dallas let Javonte Williams depart in free agency.
225. Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
A five-year player in college, Nick Barrett could bring some rotational value into the DL, but when players are picked this low in the NFL Draft, it sometimes is a struggle to make the active roster, so Barrett could be someone who ends up on the practice squad.
A huge positive with the situation that the Cowboys are in is the fact that the roster needs are painfully obvious and very fixable, and the first year on the job as head coach from Brian Schottenheimer was rather successful, as it's clear he was not overwhelmed and does have the makeup of being a solid coach in this league for years.