7-round mock draft gives the Dallas Cowboys a defensive star, and a Day 2 prospect they held a three-day visit with
We’ve got a new mock draft simulator at A to Z Sports and we’re making the most of it with a seven-round Cowboys mock draft. And yes, it features a first-round trade.
Now it’s as good a time as any to dive into a seven-round Dallas Cowboys mock draft. Do you want to know why? I’ll give you three reasons.
- It’s April!
- It’s never a bad time for a seven-round mock.
- I got to use our brand-new A to Z Sports mock draft simulator and it’s a thing of beauty. It’s fully customizable, it’s data-driven, offers pick and trade suggestions, and gives you detailed feedback for each pick. You can try it yourself now.
Enough chitchat, though. Let’s get to drafting.
Round 1, Pick 12: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Cowboys get one of their big defensive targets by staying put at No. 12 overall, which should be considered a major win.
Adding someone as sticky in coverage as Delane is would be a game-changer for Christian Parker’s defense. He’s good in zone and man coverage and will make a Day 1 impact.
Round 1, Pick 30: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Trade down with Miami Dolphins)
At No. 20 overall, the Cowboys don’t have a clear-cut target to pick. A call from the Dolphins leads to a trade down: Dallas gets No. 30 and No. 87 in the third round.
In Mesidor, the Cowboys get a productive edge rusher with a high floor. The age concern (Mesidor will turn 25 years old before the draft) shouldn’t be something to worry about for a team trying to win now.
Round 3, Pick 87: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
Here’s a little something from draft insider Ryan Fowler: The Cowboys hosted Muhammad on a three-day pre-draft visit. Talk about interest in a Day 2 prospect.
He’s a high-IQ cornerback with good play in zone coverage. I’d consider him a fit for Parker’s scheme.
Round 3, Pick 92: S Bud Clark, TCU
Some will say this is too early for Clark but after having a monster combine, I don’t think it’s too crazy. No one in the FBS had more interceptions than Clark from 2022 to 2025. He could be a nickel candidate for the Cowboys, which they still consider a need.
Round 4, Pick 112: LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama
Ideally, the Cowboys address their linebacker need before the draft.
Jefferson can be a solid coverage LB early on but he needs work before he’s asked to start. In the meantime, the Cowboys get an immediate special teams contributor.
Round 5, Pick 152: LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
Back-to-back linebacker picks? At least the Cowboys are throwing volume into their problem.
Elliott is a developmental inside linebacker with above average athletic traits. He scored an 83.3 in our athletic composite score.
Round 5, Pick 177: EDGE Caden Curry, Ohio State
An undersized edge rusher, Curry can be a fit somewhere in the Cowboys defense. He had nine sacks in the 2025 season. Dallas needs depth at the position after losing multiple players at the position, including Jadeveon Clowney.
Round 5, Pick 180: DT DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
Capehart would bring little to the Cowboys as far as pass rush goes but he’s a solid run defender. He could compete with the likes of Jay Toia and Otito Ogbonnia for a spot on the roster.
Round 7, Pick 218: WR Jordan Hudson, SMU
The Cowboys had private dinner with Hudson leading up to the draft. While he could be a priority free agent, Dallas makes its first pick on offense here. He would need to make a name for himself on special teams to make the roster.
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