Can the Dallas Cowboys aspire to end a 30-year Super Bowl drought in 2026? They need 12 players to even think about it. Let’s take a closer look to see if they have them. 

Daniel Jeremiah recently posted a concept on social media that sparked conversation across the NFL landscape. The longtime NFL Network draft expert and former front office executive laid out a championship foundation blueprint: every NFL team needs 12 players to contend for a Super Bowl. Here’s the Jeremiah Blueprint: 

• One quarterback
• Three offensive playmakers
• Three quality offensive linemen
• Two pass rushers
• Three defensive playmakers

The Dallas Cowboys check several of those boxes heading into 2026, but the defensive side of the ball raises legitimate concerns about whether this roster is truly built to compete. Let’s go item by item. 

Quarterback: Check

A lot of people will tell you the Cowboys don’t have a championship-caliber quarterback. A lot of people are wrong.

Dak Prescott has been one of the best passers in football over the past several years. In his last two complete seasons, he was in the MVP conversation, even earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 while finishing as the runner-up for MVP behind Lamar Jackson. The 2024 season was rough, sure. But Prescott bounced back with a tremendous 2025 campaign alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

And don’t even hit me with the “he chokes in the playoffs” line. Consider this: Matthew Stafford was labeled a quarterback incapable of winning a Super Bowl for years. Then he left Detroit, landed with the L.A. Rams, and won it all. Jalen Hurts has reached two Super Bowls and is now considered a hot seat quarterback in Philly due to his limitations as a passer. With the right supporting cast, Prescott gives Dallas a significant advantage. He gets a checkmark.

3 offensive playmakers: Check (with a caveat)

The first two are obvious. Lamb and Pickens form one of the best wide receiver duos in the league. Both can play inside, both can play outside, and Pickens has been even better than expected since the Cowboys acquired him.

The third spot is where it gets a little blurry. Tight end Jake Ferguson is a candidate, but he needs to prove he can return to his 2023 breakout form (when he posted a 761-yard season) after inconsistent stretches over the past two seasons. He did have eight receiving touchdowns last year, so he makes a strong case. 

Another candidate could be wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. He showed legitimate flashes in 2025, posting a couple of 100-yard games when he stepped into a larger role.

But honestly, the third offensive playmaker might be running back Javonte Williams. He’s not a home run threat ripping off 30-yard gains, but he avoids tackles for loss, consistently moves forward, and stacks seven-, nine-, and 10-yard carries that sustain drives. That consistency mattered in 2025, and it earns him the nod.

3 quality offensive linemen: Check 

Tyler Smith is an All-Pro left guard and one of the best interior linemen in football. Tyler Booker showed as a rookie that he belongs, handling defenders like Jalen Carter and proving himself as a standout blocker in both the run and pass game. Cooper Beebe may not dominate the way Smith and Booker do, but he qualifies as a starting-caliber center and a quality one. 

Yet, the obvious concern is at tackle. Left tackle and right tackle remain major question marks, and if those spots aren’t figured out, the limitations will show up in the drop-back game. Dallas may lean heavily on play action and max-protect looks to generate explosive plays because the tackles can’t give Prescott enough time. That was an issue in 2025.

I say this with a grain of salt, but the Cowboys do have three quality offensive linemen. That box gets checked.

2 pass rushers: Incomplete (but with upside)

This is where things get tricky. The Cowboys’ best pass rusher isn’t even an edge. It’s defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, working from a three-technique alignment where he can use his explosiveness to collapse the pocket.

The problem is identifying a second consistent pass rusher. Donovan Ezeriruku could make a second-year leap, but that’s hope, not certainty. First-round pick Malachi Lawrence projects as a future contributor, but he’s still working through technical issues like his false step. Rashan Gary is more of a run defender than a pass rusher.

The Cardinals have received trade calls for edge rusher Josh Sweat, per Jordan Schultz, which makes that situation worth watching for Dallas. Dallas might need to get aggressive and part with a 2027 pick to fill this gap. For now, the Cowboys sit at one of two in this category. But there is some hope. 

3 defensive playmakers: Incomplete

Rookie safety Caleb Downs is an immediate playmaker. He’s a sure-fire tackler who moves sideline to sideline with ease and will be around the football consistently. I’m not letting the fact that he’s a rookie keep me from labeling him a playmaker.

Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown produced sacks and plays behind the line of scrimmage in 2024, and he’s alluded to an expanded role under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. If he stays healthy, he could very well be the top playmaker on defense. 

After those two? There’s no clear third. DaRon Bland is the best candidate if he can bounce back to anything resembling his 2023 ball-hawking form, but he’s entering his second offseason recovering from foot surgery and how much that affects his play remains a legitimate question.

Final thoughts

Unsurprisingly, the offensive side of this roster checks Jeremiah’s boxes. The defense does not but optimistic fans can at least hope for some players to breakout. Additionally, it must be said that the offense’s upside may outweigh a lacking defense.

For now, we wait to see if Dallas can close the gap before the season arrives.