Cowboys insider points toward unexpected draft target at No. 12 overall, and he could be Dallas’ Plan B in Round 1
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to move up in the NFL Draft. But if they don’t, and they’re wiped out at No. 12, keep this cornerback in mind when they go on the clock.
Under one week away from the 2026 NFL Draft, you have heard almost every possible pick the Dallas Cowboys can make at No. 12 overall, their first of two first-round picks.
But chances are, there’s one name that isn’t on your radar at that spot even though he should be. And that is Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
Cowboys insider names Colton Hood an option at 12
Kyle Youmans, host of Dallas Cowboys TV and several other team official shows, shared his take on multiple rumors floating around ahead of the draft. Among the rumors he believes “could be true,” he includes the Cowboys being interested in Hood at No. 12.
“I’m thinking in a wipeout scenario only,” Youmans added in a follow-up tweet. “Not their first choice. If those big 6 defenders are gone, he may be their 7th man.”
That would be quite the surprise. Hood ranks 35th in the consensus big board, the same spot he occupies in A to Z Sports’ internal big board.
The Cowboys, however, are no strangers to “reaching” in comparison to the media’s eyes. In the last four drafts, they have reached by an average of nine positions with their first-round picks. The only question that matters is if they’re right about the player.
Why Hood at 12 could make sense
Though it would be labeled a reach my most in media, here’s why Hood checks out as a potential Cowboys pick.
For starters, the guy is a good player. He’s a man coverage specialist that plays like a big guy even his height is only average at 5-foot-11. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage and throughout the rep and has high-end speed to recover if needed.
Mostly, he’s a high floor guy. That means he’s someone the Cowboys can expect to start early on as opposed to being a long-term project. Hood best projects as an outside corner, which raises questions about who would play nickel—which Dallas admittedly looks at as a need.
Cowboys expected to trade up but…
If you think all of this is a moot point given the recent rumors about the Cowboys wanting to move up, don’t. Even if Dallas prefers to climb up the ladder come draft night, it’s not a guarantee it will. The team has to have a plan at No. 12 overall.
It may just include Hood.