Cowboys draft picks tracker: Every selection, live grades
Who will the Dallas Cowboys take in the 2026 NFL Draft? USA TODAY Sports examined the biggest needs, draft picks and mock draft fits for Dallas.
Defense still wins championships, which is perhaps why the 2025 Dallas Cowboys were nowhere near a Super Bowl in 2025. As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones ' full, undivided attention should be on improving his team's defense . There was a microscope on the Cowboys' defense in 2025 after Jones traded All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the start of the season.
The roster did nothing to validate that decision in the season that ensued. Dallas ranked near or at the bottom of the league in several statistical categories on defense while simultaneously ranking near the top of the league in several offensive statistics. That ultimately led to a 7-9-1 record that was not enough to make the playoffs, and the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after the end of the season.
COWBOYS MOCK DRAFT: Dallas picks Jermod McCoy, builds up defense Jones made some moves to address the Cowboys' defense in the offseason. He signed safeties Jalen Thompson and P. J.
Locke to reinforce the secondary, while defensive end Rashan Gary came over in a trade. There's still plenty of work to do to build up the roster in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fortunately, the Cowboys have two first-round picks to get the momentum started early.