3 biggest questions facing the Dallas Cowboys following thew 2026 NFL Draft, including pending problem at linebacker
The Dallas Cowboys did a lot to fix their defense in the 2026 NFL Draft. But did they do enough? That and more questions as we dive into the thick of the offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys are getting very positive grades for their 2026 NFL Draft, which heavily focused on defense. But as expected, there are still many questions to answer.
On the heels of a busy weekend in which they made seven picks, below are the three biggest questions the Cowboys face following the draft.
1. Who’s playing middle linebacker for the Cowboys?
This has to be the biggest problem the Cowboys are facing on defense. Yes, the Cowboys added two linebackers, excluding undrafted free agency, over the weekend.
In the third round, they picked Jaishawn Barham out of Michigan. Despite most looking at Barham as an edge rusher in the pre-draft process, the Cowboys revealed they intend to try him at inside linebacker first, which is what he originally played in Michigan before switching to EDGE.
But Barham’s best football comes as a weak-side linebacker who can walk down to the line of scrimmage. I don’t see him taking on middle linebacker responsibilities.
Now, the Cowboys also added veteran Dee Winters, a 17-game starter for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025. But similarly, his best football comes as a run-and-hit linebacker playing Will, not as the Mike. This is to say, the Cowboys added talent at the position but they don’t have a true middle linebacker on the team yet.
Could they trade for another veteran or will they target a free agent such as Bobby Wagner? It’s unclear but they must do something unless they’re comfortable with Winters moving to Mike.
2. Is there a competition at offensive tackle brewing?
I don’t want to overreact to the Cowboys taking Drew Shelton out of Penn State. This is not just about Shelton being a solid pick with starting upside (which he has thanks to a highly athletic profile).
It’s about Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele needing to earn their starting jobs all over again. They haven’t been good enough to not have to compete for their spots.
If Shelton can add strength and power, he’s got the tools to be an NFL starter. Especially in a scheme like Klayton Adams’, which emphasizes linemen who can pull block (a big positive on Shelton’s film).
3. Did the Cowboys do enough on defense?
At the end of the day, this is the question that will determine the Cowboys’ season when it’s all said and done. On top of a defense-heavy draft class, the Cowboys added multiple starters on defense in free agency. It should be a much improved unit. By how much, though?
If the Cowboys can have an average unit one year removed from a historically bad year on defense, it will be considered a major win. I believe the Cowboys have done enough to keep the defense from holding back the team, but there’s a degree of uncertainty at every position as new starters are set to take over.