Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones try to salvage the Micah Parsons debacle and fallout in latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft
How do the Dallas Cowboys recover from the Micah Parsons trade?
It is never boring in the Dallas Cowboys fandom, especially after trading away All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons on Thursday to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two future first round picks. After you make some Jerry Jones jokes, and the dust settles a bit, it is important for the Cowboys to begin figuring out the next steps on the edge defensively.
The potential answer most will consider is with their new draft capital, finding the next young defensive ends via the 2026 NFL Draft. With the new need considered, here is a 7-round mock draft for the Cowboys to try and recover. It’s an imperfect practice, but it’s the position that Dallas has put themselves in with that blockbuster deal.
Round 1, Pick 15: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Wait, shouldn’t this selection be the spot to find the replacement for Micah Parsons? While that is the biggest need now, the board just didn’t fall that way. The Cowboys decide, instead, to opt for the best player available at a major position of need. Love immediately upgrades the running back room for Dallas, and becomes the focal point of the offense. Whether it be as a runner or pass receiver, the 6-0, 214-pound athlete is a threat to score every time he touches the football. That should take some of the pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott.
Round 1, Pick 23 (via Green Bay): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
With the selection the Cowboys received from the Packers, they try to find some pass rushing help to soften the blow of losing Parsons. It is more than likely a loss that will need attention in the draft and free agency, but Bailey certainly brings some developmental upside to fill the role. He is a lighter standup rusher at 6-3 and 250 pounds, but possesses really nice length, explosiveness, and bend. Developing a solid pass rush plan will be very important for Bailey to reach his upside.
Round 2, Pick 47: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Ferguson is a rock solid player, but there is still ability for the Cowboys to add to that tight end room to become a more versatile unit. The great thing about Klare is that he can play all over the field, including as a big slot at times. Along with Ferguson, as well as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at wide receiver, Prescott should have a ton of pass game weapons for the foreseeable future.
Round 4, Pick 115: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., EDGE, Ohio State
You aren’t going to replace the impact of Parsons with one player, so double dipping on the edge is a good idea. If Jackson has the breakout season that some are anticipating, there’s a good chance he goes quite a bit higher than this. Until he does breakout, however, this is a bit of a bet on traits. The 21-year old is an imposing player at 6-6 and 265 pounds. His combination of size, length, and explosiveness brings a lot of upside to the table.
Round 5, Pick 157: Collin Wright, CB, Stanford
Wright is one of the few legitimate NFL prospects left on this poor Stanford team. While he isn’t the most physically gifted cover man of all time, Wright is very experienced and smart. He could thrive in a zone based system with some developmental upside. If nothing else, he should become a rock solid depth piece due to his consistency.
Round 6, Pick 180: Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Prior to the 2024 season, Moore was being projected as a potential top-100 selection for the 2025 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for Moore, he missed last season due to injury, but he is back healthy. He is a gifted athlete that moves very well on the back end. Moore is a bit of a smaller safety at 184 pounds, so the nickel may end up being his best slot long term due to movement skills and willingness as a tackler. That versatility is a nice thing for a team to bet on.
Round 6, Pick 218: Nic Anderson, WR, LSU
If health wasn’t a concern for Anderson, he probably goes much earlier. He is a bigger bodied pass catcher with tremendous ball skills, and underrated upside as a route runner. Whether Anderson makes it in the league is really going to come down to availability for the former Oklahoma transfer.
Round 7, Pick 242: Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas State
If Johnson is projected to go this late, he more than likely returns for his senior season at Kansas State, but he was on the board. Dak Prescott is still a good quarterback when healthy, but he is aging quickly and has struggled at times with durability. Joe Milton is in the room as a backup as well, but he isn’t very good. Johnson is a dart throw at a talented athlete with some developmental upside.
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Jerry Jones’ explanation of Micah Parsons trade is an insult to Dallas Cowboys franchise and its fans
Unbelievable stance.
