We’re at the point where it seems like everything and anything can happen in the 2026 NFL Draft for the Dallas Cowboys.

Every mock draft seems to propose a new scenario for the Cowboys, but none are as ideal as the one NFL insider Peter Schrager just published over at ESPN. Schrager may not be the ultimate player evaluator, but he’s well connected around the league and his insight should be taken seriously.

In his mock, one of the best defenders in the draft falls to No. 12, and the Cowboys land a player at No. 20 that they very well may consider at 12.

Cowboys steal Caleb Downs at No. 12

Downs’ draft stock has been up and down all offseason and the biggest reason isn’t even his play nor anything off-the-field. It’s his positional value. He’s one of the best players in this year’s class, but the NFL has historically undervalued safeties.

According to Schrager, that wouldn’t be a concern for the defensive-needy Cowboys.

“Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told me on ‘The Schrager Hour’ that Downs will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be a face of the franchise,” Schrager writes. “The Cowboys need that on defense, even if safety isn’t valued the same as pass rusher or cornerback.”

Even though the Cowboys signed Jalen Thompson in free agency, Downs would be a home run pick. With Christian Parker on board as the new defensive coordinator, Downs could be the ultimate chess piece to truly build a multiple and unpredictable defense alongside Thompson—who is also a very versatile defensive back.

Parker’s scheme is expected to emphasize smart players, and Downs is exactly that. Even as a rookie, he’d be expected to take on a leadership role.

A valuable edge rusher find at No. 20

Schrager has the Cowboys finding Miami’s Akheem Mesidor at No. 20, which would be great value for an NFL-ready defensive lineman like him. The biggest concern scouts point to with Mesidor is the fact that he’s 25 years old.

That shouldn’t be a concern for a Cowboys team expecting to win now.

Additionally, some have indicated Mesidor isn’t that far away from Miami teammate and projected Top-10 pick Rueben Bain Jr. For more insight on that side of things, I reached out to our own Craig Smith from A to Z Sports Miami.

“Bain’s disruption, power, speed, and pure violence is unmistakable. He plays with an explosive, angry force that you just don’t see often,” Smith says. “I’m not saying he’s going to be Lawrence Taylor by any means, but watching him play, I get a vibe of that controlled violence that LT played with for years.”

“But Mesidor’s overall pass rushing toolbox is likely more developed at this stage of both of their careers,” he adds. “The sixth-year senior used all of those tools and was adept at getting opposing quarterbacks on the ground, with 12.5 sacks on the year.

“Mesidor’s age, 25, has been a talking point, but for a team that needs to win now and doesn’t have as much time to wait on perhaps a high-ceiling young player to develop, Mesidor is about as close to plug-and-play ready as it gets for the position.”

This would be a dream scenario for Christian Parker

I’m not sure there’s a better combination of players for the Cowboys than this one. Parker gets a perfect-fit rookie to develop—he’s got a defensive backs background and has developed multiple All-Pros at cornerback. But that’s not it.

He gets much-needed depth at edge rusher in Mesidor, who could very well compete for a starting spot in Year 1 with Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku also on board.

Matt Eberflus’ departure was more than justified. But giving Parker a much better talent pool is the way to go. This scenario would be exactly that.

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