Cowboys final 7-round mock draft has small trade up, new 2nd rounder

The Dallas Cowboys go into the 2026 NFL draft armed with picks No. 12 and 20 in the first round. This collection of early draft capital gives them a level of dexterity most teams can only dream of.

With just five, possibly six, defensive targets in mind for pick No. 12, they may have to cash in that capital to move up and get the defender of their desires. The 2026 draft is rumored to be chock-full of teams trying to trade back.

This could present a buyer’s market and allow the Cowboys to move up for lower-than-normal prices. But with so many important needs to fill on defense, it’s important they exit Day 1 with two plug-and-play prospects to build around. Therefore, moving up will be conditional, with all the chips needing to fall just right to get a deal done.

In this 2026 final mock draft, the Cowboys test the market with offers at multiple points of the top 10, but ultimately wait until No. 11 to pull the trigger on a trade. With Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs already gone, it's Mansoor Delane or bust for Dallas.