Brian Schottenheimer Dallas Cowboys
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Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys want to win right now. That might not include putting rookies in key positions in 2026.
Pro Football Focus called the Cowboys‘ 1st round pick at No. 12 overall their “Top Trade Asset” this offseason — a move that would still leave the franchise with a 1st round pick at No. 20 overall.
It’s a unique position for the Cowboys to be in and could give them some pretty incredible flexibility.
“Owner and general manager Jerry Jones likely views this roster as a Super Bowl contender that is just a piece or two away,” PFF’s John Kosko wrote. “With two first-round picks, the Cowboys have the flexibility to leverage one of them to address the many holes on defense. That defense ranked last in both EPA allowed per play and success rate, underscoring the need for significant reinforcements. Trading one of those picks for additional draft capital in a defense-heavy class could allow Dallas to add multiple contributors and accelerate a turnaround on that side of the ball.”
ESPN Predicts Cowboys Take CB at No. 12 Overall
The Cowboys need so much help on defense — now and in the future — that using both of their 1st round picks on elite defensive players might be the best plan.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the odds of a defensive player popping in their rookie year are much less likely than landing an offensive player who becomes elite right off the bat.
The Cowboys, however, don’t need anything on offense that they can’t get in the later rounds.
ESPN’s Matt Miller predicts the Cowboys will go defense with the No. 12 overall pick and not trade it, slotting Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy to wear the Star.
“Dallas’ cornerback room is full of question marks behind DaRon Bland due to the release of Trevon Diggs,” Miller wrote. “Bland is solid, but the Cowboys need a corner who scares opposing QBs. McCoy missed last season following a torn ACL suffered in January 2025, but his 2024 tape was elite, with four interceptions and nine passes defensed. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy profiles as a physical outside cornerback with smooth moving skills in phase. He would have been my top cornerback in the 2025 class if he was draft-eligible.”