Dallas Cowboys receive important news on Monday that has nothing to do with NFL free agency

The Dallas Cowboys got a significant NFL Draft update in the middle of Monday’s start to free agency frenzy.

Mauricio Rodriguez Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number twelve pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number twelve pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.

Today is supposed to be all about the Dallas Cowboys moves from the first day of the NFL’s free agency frenzy. And trust me, from the Rashan Gary trade to their signing of an underrated defensive back, we’ve got you covered.

But also, the NFL dropped some important news that have nothing to do with free agency. Out of any day the league could have announced this year’s compensatory picks, it chose today.

So now, we know exactly what comp picks the Cowboys are getting, as well as their full slate of picks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Cowboys land two fifth-round comp picks

Earlier in the year, the Cowboys were expected to land comp picks in the fifth and sixth rounds. However, after a stronger year than expected for the free agency market, Dallas was later projected to land two fifth-round picks, adding a layer of intrigue to this year’s announcement.

According to Over the Cap’s compensatory pick expert Nick Korte, “the leaguewide number considered for the 2026 compensatory picks might be a bit higher than I projected.”

Korte’s revised calculations were proven correct as now we know for sure: It’s two compensatory fifths heading to Dallas, one for losing DE DeMarcus Lawrence and another for CB Jourdan Lewis.

Specifically, the Cowboys are getting overall picks No. 177 and No. 180.

Full slate of Cowboys 2026 draft picks

With the announcement, the current tally of Cowboys draft pick sits at eight:

  • Round 1, Pick 12
  • Round 1, Pick 20
  • Round 4, Pick 112
  • Round 5, Pick 152
  • Round 5, Pick 177 (comp)
  • Round 5, Pick 180 (comp)
  • Round 7, Pick 221
  • Round 7, Pick 225

The Cowboys traded their third-round pick for WR George Pickens last May, and their second-round pick as part of their deal for DT Quinnen Williams in November.