The 2026 NFL draft begins Thursday in Pittsburgh, when the Dallas Cowboys are set to pick 12th and 20th in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (ESPN, ABC and ESPN the app).
The Cowboys have eight total picks: Nos. 12, 20, 92, 112, 152, 177, 180 and 218. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the Dallas front office and coaching staff?
Cowboys reporter Todd Archer has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the 2026 draft. We will update this page right up until Round 1 begins.
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Could Dallas go offense at No. 12?
Tuesday, April 21: Almost all of the mock draft focus on the Cowboys has been about the defense and deservedly so. Throughout the offseason, however, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said helping the offense is not out of the question. If the top defensive players are gone by the time the Cowboys pick at No. 12, then they could be staring at the highest-graded prospect on their board being an offensive player, such as wide receivers Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State).
In 2020, receiver CeeDee Lamb was sixth on the Cowboys' board and was available at No. 17. It was a blinking-light situation. While this scenario wouldn't be quite as big a difference, for those who believe you always take the best player regardless of need, don't rule out an offensive selection if Dallas doesn't trade that pick.
Mock draft simulation
Monday, April 20: Soon the Cowboys will be able to make their picks for real in the NFL draft, but we get to play pretend using ESPN's mock draft simulator to predict the choices.
All eyes will be on Dallas with the 12th and 20th picks in Round 1. There has been talk of them moving up to get one of the best defensive players or down to acquire more picks to help a beleaguered defense.
The Cowboys have eight picks total but don't have a pick in the second round thanks to the November trade to acquire defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. They were able to add a third-round pick (No. 92) in the trade of DT Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers. They have a fourth-rounder, three fifth-rounders and a seventh rounder.
The needs remain obvious: everywhere on defense but defensive tackle. Cases can be made for more offensive line help, tight end, receiver and running back too.
Although the draft simulator allows trades, I opted not to make one in the early rounds just to see how it would play out. Linebacker remains a question and the Cowboys will have to find their starter on the trade market with the way this one worked out.
Here is my take on a seven-round mock draft with the help of the ESPN simulator:
Round 1 (No. 12 overall): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Round 1 (No. 20): Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Round 3 (No. 92): Romello Height, DE, Texas Tech
Round 4 (No. 112): Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
Round 5 (No. 152): Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Round 5 (No. 177): Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 180): Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
Round 7 (No. 218): Wesley Williams, DE, Duke
All of the "top" defensive players were gone by No. 12. Maybe Hood is a reach, but I'm trusting new coordinator Christian Parker to work some of his cornerback magic. Faulk looks the part and while there might be some worries about a lack of production, he is only 20 years old and has room to grow.
The clear need is at linebacker, and there wasn't one worth the 92nd selection, so I double-dipped at pass rusher with Height. Parker can play a multitude of positions on the line, which gives some flexibility to the group. There's a lot to like about Elarms-Orr's year at TCU, but he is more of a depth piece, sa pecial teamer with the ability to grow. Benson and Hibner might not fill immediate needs, but the Cowboys like to keep the receiver and tight end rooms fresh.
Will Dallas trade up in Round 1?
Tuesday, April 14: Owner and general manager Jerry Jones is not afraid to make trades. With two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20), the Cowboys have the goods to make a bold move into the top 10. Depending on how the picks fall, Jones might have to make a move to help his defense. In 2012, the Cowboys went from No. 14 to No. 6 to take cornerback Morris Claiborne. At the time, Claiborne was the highest-rated corner the Cowboys graded since Deion Sanders, but the move did not pan out. If Jones wants to get linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs or cornerback Mansoor Delane, he might have to make a similar move from No. 12 this year. "Jerry is never afraid of making deals," coach Brian Schottenheimer said.
Cowboys prospect visits include seven CBs
Friday, April 10: Let's read into some of the national visitors to The Star, particularly at cornerback. The position is a known need for the Cowboys and seven corners are among their 30 visitors. LSU's Mansoor Delane, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy and perhaps Clemson's Avieon Terrell would be among the considerations at No. 12 overall. South Carolina's Brandon Cisse and Tennessee's Colton Hood could be among those at No. 20. Arizona's Treydan Stukes and Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds are the other visitors.
McCoy's visit is interesting because of concerns teams have regarding his surgically-repaired knee. He missed last year with a torn ACL, and owner and GM Jerry Jones said the Cowboys won't have time for "redshirt" years on their defense. By bringing in McCoy, the Cowboys are doing their due diligence on the long-term state of the prospect's knee.
Cowboys talk edge rushers
Tuesday, April 7: The Cowboys opened up their draft meetings on Monday with the scouts, coaches, owner and general manager Jerry Jones, co-owner Stephen Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The first position discussed was edge players. Maybe this means nothing, maybe it means a little, but it seems fitting for a team in need of pass-rush help.
The Cowboys made a trade last month for Rashan Gary and have Donovan Ezeiruaku, last year's second-round pick, but they need more. Ezeiruaku will be limited in the offseason because of hip surgery, although Schottenheimer said he expects him to be 100% for training camp.
The Cowboys have had meetings with Texas Tech's David Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese. They were also at Miami's pro day with Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.