Mock draft consensus identifies 3 Cowboys candidates for No. 12, 20
Mock drafts are starting to point to specific areas for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft
The Dallas Cowboys are firmly positioned to add two significant pieces with their two first-round draft picks next Thursday. Speculation as to who they are targeting is starting to take shape with many of the same prospects going to Dallas in mock draft after mock draft across the nation. With significant needs at safety, cornerback, linebacker and edge, the Cowboys have no shortage of prospects looking them in the face.
SFdata9ers recently ran an aggregate of 73 different mock drafts and found there weren't many surprises for the Cowboys. Despite all their needs, most mock drafts are focusing on one particular area for Dallas at Pick 12, and that’s their defensive secondary. Pick 20 is more fluid in it’s prediction with consensus boards floating between edge and linebacker.
Edge would satisfy the needs at defensive end and outside linebacker, while linebacker would address their specific second-level needs on the inside. Projections haven't changed much for the Cowboys over the last couple months. McCoy jumping to the top at 12 is new but Mesidor, Allen, and Faulk have all been familiar names at 20.
(credit @sfdata9ers for aggregate) pic. twitter. com/wwqGW4TE8n — Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) April 13, 2026 Pick 12: Jermod McCoy (CB), Dillon Thieneman (S), Caleb Downs (S) Aggregating 73 of the latest mock drafts, Jermod McCoy has become the sudden favorite for Dallas at 12.