Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Two premium first-round talents kickstart reload

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a strong 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The victory only moves them to four wins on the season, and a playoff run is unrealistic. However, a loaded 2026 NFL Draft class paired with two first-round picks gives them a real chance to rebuild quickly. With the right moves, this roster can get back to competing for the NFC East next year.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders add talent off the edge

Round 1, Pick 13: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

Dallas needs help on the edge after losing Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland this season. That makes defensive end the top priority. Clemson’s T.J. Parker fits what they need. His production dipped this year with only two sacks compared to 11 last season, but the traits are still strong. He holds up well against the run, has the flexibility to turn the corner, and has the overall toolbox to become a high-level starter. 

Round 1, Pick 24: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Tackle will become a real need if the Cowboys move on from Terence Steele after the season. Kadyn Proctor brings rare upside. Bruce Feldman ranked him as the No. 2 Freak Athlete in college football, and Alabama has used him everywhere from offensive tackle to wide receiver to the backfield. He can play tackle or guard in the NFL. The concern is technique. His footwork and overall fundamentals need work. If Dallas keeps him focused and develops him correctly, he has All-Pro potential.

2026 NFL Mock Draft mid-round: Cowboys find intriguing wideout talents on Day 3

Round 4, Pick 113: Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

If Dallas re-signs George Pickens and drafts Nyck Harbor, they will have one of the most physically imposing wide receiver groups in the league. Harbor is 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, runs a 10.32 in the 100 meters, and sits at 5 percent body fat. He falls to this point because he is still raw. His route running needs improvement and his production is average. Even with those issues, his athletic ceiling is too high to ignore in the fourth round.

Round 5, Pick 153: Jacob Rodriguez, MLB, Texas Tech

With DeMarvion Overshown back on the field after a knee injury and Logan Wilson holding down the other starting linebacker spot, the Cowboys are set at the top of their depth chart. Still, adding quality depth at middle linebacker is smart. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez is one of the most productive linebackers in college football. He shows excellent instincts against both the run and the pass and would provide immediate rotational support while developing into a potential starter.

Round 5, Pick 177: Eugene Wilson III, WR, Florida

After adding a big outside receiver with Harbor in the fourth round, the Cowboys target a small, quick slot receiver in the fifth round with Florida’s Eugene Wilson III. Their current starter at this position, Ryan Flournoy, has played well for a sixth-round pick but projects more as a depth piece than a long-term starter. Wilson is a game-changer when the ball is in his hands thanks to his ability to cut on a dime and accelerate from zero-to-top speed almost instantly.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Adding another QB to the mix

Round 7, Pick 216: Josh Hoover, QB, TCU

The Cowboys have Joe Milton behind Dak Prescott, and while Milton has the raw tools, he is far from the rhythm-based passer who fits best in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. TCU’s Josh Hoover doesn’t have Milton’s arm strength, but he is far more polished and accurate. Adding Hoover here gives Dallas a developmental quarterback with the potential to grow into a dependable long-term backup.

Round 7, Pick 219: Joenel Aguero, S, Georgia

Safety is one of the biggest question marks for Dallas heading into the offseason, with the possibility of moving on from both Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. Adding Georgia’s Joenel Aguero gives the Cowboys a high-end athlete who can contribute on special teams right away and provide needed depth at safety.