Dallas Cowboys spark mixed feelings in latest NFL mock draft as daunting scenario comes up in the first round
Our crew at A to Z Sports put together a full first-round mock draft with insight from every beat. How did the Dallas Cowboys do with two picks in the Top 20? The results are bittersweet.
With only 20 days to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, our crew at A to Z Sports put together a staff-wide first-round mock draft and it was my turn to put on the Dallas Cowboys GM hat on.
I can tell you right from the get go that I have mixed feelings about how the Cowboys’ haul came out. And it all started with a daunting scenario at No. 12 overall, as many of the top defensive prospects were wiped off the board before Dallas went on the clock.
Let’s dive in.
Pick No. 12 overall: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
This was a tough one. For context, our mock draft had the following names off the board by No. 12: CB Mansoor Delane, ED/LB Arvell Reese, LB Sonny Styles, EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE David Bailey, S Caleb Downs.
Yikes. That meant I was faced with a dilemma: Do I risk reaching for an edge rusher, pick a safety, or take a risk on someone with legit CB1 potential?
On the heels of Jermod McCoy’s impressive Pro Day, I opted for the latter. The Cowboys have said they don’t want a redshirt rookie this year, but I’m not sure McCoy is that. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and showed he can change direction on the field.
It feels like the Cowboys need to take a home run swing in the draft and McCoy was their best shot at it in this scenario.
Notable players on the board: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, OT Spencer Fano, S Dillon Thieneman
Pick No. 20 overall: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Not going with an edge rusher or a linebacker here hurts, but Thieneman is the pick sticking to the board here. He would be the final piece to give Cowboys DC Christian Parker a “multiple” defense, as his versatility could be a serious weapon to complement Jalen Thompson.
Notable players on the board: OT Monroe Freeling, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, EDGE Keldric Faulk, EDGE Cashius Howell
Final thoughts
Overall, this haul would make the Cowboys secondary a very promising unit—which is particularly relevant considering Parker’s background coaching defensive backs.
However, it’s difficult to imagine the front seven standing out. It’s this kind of scenario that has many thinking the Cowboys could trade up or target linebacker via free agency or trade prior to the draft.
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