The star on the helmet carries a weight most NFL franchises can't even fathom. It’s early 2026, and the chatter around AT&T Stadium isn't just about the previous season's exit—it's about the looming question that defines the future of the roster: who will Dallas draft to fix the cracks that started showing late in December?
Jerry Jones loves a splash. We know this. But the front office, led by Will McClay—the man many consider the real architect of the Cowboys' talent pipeline—has become increasingly pragmatic. Dallas finds itself in a precarious spot where "best player available" often clashes with "desperate positional need." Honestly, the days of drafting a luxury wide receiver when the run defense is giving up five yards a carry have to be over. You've seen the tape. The trenches are where this team lives or dies.
The Offensive Line Rebuild Isn't Finished
Let’s talk about the guys up front. Tyler Smith has evolved into a cornerstone, but the rest of the unit has been a bit of a moving target. If you’re wondering who will Dallas draft, you have to look at the tackle position first. Tyron Smith’s legacy is set, but the post-Tyron era has been rocky.
Drafting a tackle early isn't sexy. It won't sell as many jerseys as a lightning-fast wideout from the SEC. However, Dak Prescott—or whoever is under center as the contract situations fluctuate—needs a clean pocket. Scouts have been heavily linked to prospects like Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas or Emery Jones Jr. from LSU. Banks, specifically, fits the Cowboys' mold. He’s powerful. He’s technically sound. He has that "nasty" streak that Mike McCarthy wants for the run game.
Imagine a scenario where Dallas sits at their pick and a blue-chip tackle falls. They won't hesitate. They can't. The NFC East is getting faster, and the pass rushers in Philadelphia and New York aren't getting any friendlier.
Why the Defensive Interior is the Real Priority
The Cowboys have been pushed around. There, I said it. For years, the focus has been on the edge—Micah Parsons flying around like a heat-seeking missile. But Parsons can’t do his job if the interior of the line is a sieve.
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Every time fans ask who will Dallas draft, the conversation eventually circles back to the defensive tackle spot. They need a "one-tech" who can actually eat double teams. Mazi Smith was supposed to be that guy, but the development has been slower than a Dallas commute on a rainy Tuesday. If a monster like Mason Graham from Michigan or Tyleik Williams from Ohio State is available, the war room is going to be loud.
A dominant interior presence changes everything. It keeps the linebackers clean. It allows Eric Kendricks—or his eventual successor—to flow to the ball without having to shed a 330-pound guard every single play. It’s about physics, basically. You can’t have a world-class pass rush if the quarterback can just step up into a wide-open pocket because your defensive tackles are five yards deep in the end zone.
The Skill Position Wildcard
Jerry Jones is still Jerry Jones. There is always a chance the Cowboys go "off-script" to grab a playmaker. With CeeDee Lamb carrying such a massive load, the offense occasionally feels one-dimensional.
What if they go running back?
The league has devalued the position, sure. But look at what a truly elite back does for a modern offense. If a guy like Quinshon Judkins is staring them in the face, the temptation might be too much. It's about balance. If Dallas can't run the ball effectively, they become predictable. Predictable teams don't win in January.
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The Will McClay Factor
We have to give credit where it's due. The Cowboys are actually one of the better drafting teams in the league over the last decade. They don't usually reach. They use their board. When we speculate on who will Dallas draft, we have to remember they value "traits." Long arms, high SPARQ scores, and high-character guys from big programs.
They rarely take flyers on small-school projects in the first two rounds. They like the "big stage" players. Think about it: Parsons (Penn State), Lamb (Oklahoma), Tyler Smith (Tulsa—okay, an outlier, but he had the physical traits of a titan).
Secondary Depth and the Aging Cornerback Room
Trevon Diggs is a ball hawk. DaRon Bland proved he’s a legitimate NFL starter. But corner is a position where you can never have enough bodies. Injuries happen. Speed fades.
The 2026 class is deep at defensive back. If the value at tackle or DT isn't there, don't be shocked if Dallas looks at a lockdown corner. They play a lot of man-to-man. You need guys who can survive on an island. If you aren't upgrading, you're regressing. That’s just NFL reality.
The Strategy: Value vs. Need
Usually, Dallas stays true to their rankings. If a wide receiver they have ranked 10th falls to 24th, they’ll take him even if they need a linebacker. It’s frustrating for fans who see the immediate holes on the roster, but it’s how they’ve stayed competitive without huge free-agency splashes.
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"We like our guys."
We’ve heard that phrase a million times. It means they trust their scouting more than the open market. This puts immense pressure on the draft. Every pick has to hit. There is no margin for error when you aren't spending big in March.
Addressing the Misconceptions
People think Dallas always goes for the most famous player. That’s not really true anymore. Look at Tyler Smith. Fans hated that pick at the time. "Who?" "A reach!" Now? He’s an All-Pro caliber player.
The Cowboys are smarter than the media gives them credit for, even if the playoff results haven't matched the regular-season dominance. They draft for the long haul. They look at three years down the road, not just Week 1.
Actionable Insights for Fans Following the Draft
If you want to track who will Dallas draft like a pro, stop looking at "mock drafts" from people who don't watch the Cowboys' specific scheme. Instead, focus on these metrics:
- Look at the 30-Visits: Dallas almost always drafts someone they brought in for a private workout or visit. If a player isn't on that list of 30, the odds of them being the first-round pick drop significantly.
- Check the Senior Bowl: The Cowboys' scouting staff lives in Mobile, Alabama. They love players who show out against top competition in that specific environment.
- The "Second Round Risk": Dallas has a history of taking injured or "character concern" players in the second round (think Jaylon Smith or Randy Gregory). If a top-10 talent slides due to an ACL tear, keep your eyes on the Cowboys in round two.
- Physical Profiles: They have a "type." For O-linemen, it’s length. For DBs, it’s a specific height-weight-speed ratio. If a guy is undersized, he’s probably not on their board, regardless of his college stats.
The draft is the lifeblood of the Dallas Cowboys. Without high-end rookie contracts performing like veterans, the salary cap situation with their stars would have imploded years ago. Whether it's a mauling offensive tackle or a gap-filling defensive tackle, the choice made this April will dictate the window of the current core. They can't afford a miss. They need a starter.
Keep an eye on the trench talent. That’s where the game is won, and that’s where Dallas is currently most vulnerable. The star is waiting for its next anchor.