Jerry Jones
Getty
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 26: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys have some ammunition in the upcoming NFL draft. Thanks to the Micah Parsons trade right before the 2025 season, Dallas is armed with an extra first-round pick in 2026, giving them two: their own at No. 12 and the Packers‘ at No. 20.
Today, I’ll be running a three-round Cowboys mock draft, using PFF’s simulator to project which players will be available at each spot. The focus here will be accuracy and projection — I’ll be predicting what the Cowboys will do with each pick based on what I’m hearing and how the board is falling.
Round 1, Pick 12: The Dallas Cowboys Select Oregon S Dillon Thieneman
Dillon Thieneman
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Cowboys fans might be hoping that Ohio State S Caleb Downs falls to them, but Thieneman is quite the consolation prize. A transfer from Purdue, he’s one of the most athletic safeties we’ve seen come through the draft in years.
Thieneman can play as a single-high free safety, a downhill thumper of a box safety, or even as a nickel defender covering receivers and tight ends one-on-one. His range is unmatched and he delivers big hits routinely without missing tackles. Thiememan’s ball skills and football IQ are off the charts — the Cowboys need someone like him to raise both the floor and ceiling of one of the worst secondaries in the league.
Other prospects I considered in this spot include Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane and Utah OT Spencer Fano. Left tackle has been a problem spot for the Cowboys and there’s talk they might move LG Tyler Smith back to left tackle to deal with it — but in turn, that would create a weakness at left guard. Either Fano or Ioane would offer a ton of positional flexibility to that side of Dallas’ line and improve their blocking considerably.
Still, I ultimately couldn’t pass on Thieneman’s fit and upside in this spot.
Round 1, Pick 20: The Dallas Cowboys Select Central Florida ED Malachi Lawrence
Malachi Lawrence
GettyAMES, IA – OCTOBER 19: Running back Abu Sama III #24 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards past linebacker Xe’ree Alexander #24, and defensive end Malachi Lawrence #51 of the UCF Knights in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 19, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 38-35 over the UCF Knights. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
How do you start to replace one of the league’s most elite pass rushers? One way to do it is to draft one of toolsiest, most productive pass rushers in college football and go from there. Lawrence is a physical specimen, with freakishly long arms and a rocked-up build that just oozes athleticism.
It’s not just size with Lawrence, either, as he’s one of the fastest edge players in recent Combine history. His ability to turn the corner in an instant and out-leverage opposing tackles is exactly what the Cowboys need on defense. Between Lawrence’s quarterback-hunting chops and Thieneman’s ability to create big plays on the back end, the Cowboys added a pair of truly electric defensive playmakers.
Other options for the Cowboys here include Georgia DT Christen Miller, Miami ED Akheem Mesidor, and Clemson CB Avieon Terrell.
Round 3, Pick 92: The Dallas Cowboys Select Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Don’t think I forgot about linebacker. The board fell perfectly for the Cowboys here, as Hill is one of my favorite linebackers in this class and he fell to Dallas in the third round. A supreme athlete, Hill’s skill and range in coverage — combined with his aggression and physicality against the run — make him an intriguing Day 2 prospect.