Cowboys Schottenheimer pre-warns of draft disruption that may offend

Selecting defensive players in the 2026 NFL draft seems like a forgone conclusion for the Dallas Cowboys. Owners of the worst defense in the NFL, the Cowboys have made it no secret their efforts over the offseason are focused primarily on fixing their historically poor unit. Eight of their 10 free-agency signings were on the defensive side of the ball.

Trade rumors have focused on defensive players as have 30 visits and mock drafts. So when Brian Schottenheimer goes out of way to mention offensive plans may be a possibility this April in the draft, some were understandably caught off guard. “You want to be prepared to do what we need to do on defense,” explained Schottenheimer.

“But certainly, we’re not going to pass on a great offensive player if they’re there. ” Schottenheimer’s statements, combined with the Stephen Jones’ mention of being openminded like they were when they drafted CeeDee Lamb, are enough to make offense feel like a distinct possibility. “… we’ve got two first-round picks,” Jones said in January.

“A lot of people, a probably rightfully so, think they might end up being defensive players, but at the same time we were going to a defensive player when we drafted CeeDee Lamb…” The pivot the Cowboys made back in 2020 with Lamb was a franchise-changing decision. Lamb has gone on to be a cornerstone of the Dallas offense while K’Lavon Chaisson, the player they were originally targeting that year, struggled to make his mark in the NFL. While it seems preposterous to strengthen a strength when the weaknesses are so glaring, drafting the best player available has proven to be the best for the long-term, time and time again.