Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t rule out picking an offensive player in the first round, here are 3 candidates that make sense
The Dallas Cowboys know they need to fix their defense. But everything is fair game in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn’t oblivious to his team’s defensive proDallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn’t oblivious to his team’s defensive problems. But he won’t allow that to turn into a bias come the 2026 NFL Draft.
“You want to be prepared to do what we need to do on defense, but certainly, we’re not going to pass on a great offensive player if they’re there at one of those spots,” Schottenheimer told reporters last week.
Chances are you know about the likely Cowboys’ defensive draft targets, but who could be that “great offensive player” that takes Dallas in an unexpected path in late April? Below are five names to be ready for.
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
I have Cooper Jr. leading the list for two reasons:
- He’s a known pre-draft visitor for the Cowboys, which could be a sign of serious interest.
- He’s expected to be a late first-round/early second-round draft pick. And it just seems likelier for the Cowboys to go offense late than at No. 12 overall.
Cooper Jr. projects best as a slot receiver thanks to his history of compiling yards after the catch and his middle-of-the-field routes. If the Cowboys picked him, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens would likely line up outside most of the time.
OT Spencer Fano, Utah
I’m not adding OT Francis Mauigoa to the list because he’s highly unlikely to be available when the Cowboys go on the clock, but I can see Fano being a Day 1 one starter at tackle in the NFL.
Even though the Cowboys are betting on Terence Steele at right tackle after he took a pay cut, the position could be upgraded. Fano’s workout at the NFL Scouting Combine was top-notch.
I know, the Cowboys have drafted first-round offensive linemen in three of the last five years. But Fano could certainly fit the “great offensive players” description from Schottenheimer.
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson’s hamstring injury has his draft projection all over the place but here’s what we know about him: He’s a big-sized receiver with refined route running that wins in contested catch scenarios.
If the medicals check out, the Cowboys could look at Tyson as an opportunity to create a three-headed monster on offense. With George Pickens’ long-term future in Dallas being uncertain, it could be the way to go.
WR Makai Lemon, USC
Though not the biggest receiver in the class, Lemon makes up for it through his athleticism.
“He doesn’t just win in tight spaces; Lemon creates separation with his athleticism,” our own Tyler Forness writes. “While he lacks an elite first step out of the block, he’s plenty fast once he gets moving, attacking the leverage of cornerbacks consistently. He’s one of the best players in this draft class.”
At No. 20 overall, he could be a still if he’s still on the board.
OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Yup, another tackle. There are multiple offensive linemen that could make sense late in the first-round and Freeling carries the most upside. He scored a 97.6 in our own A to Z Sports’ athletic composite score. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, his arm length sits at 34.63″.
If he falls to the late first-round, I could see him being the highest-evaluated prospect on the Cowboys’ board.
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