The Dallas Cowboys may end up drafting a wide receiver in the first round after all based on latest decision
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be all about defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But their actions suggest they’re seriously considering taking a wide receiver.
Defense, defense, defense. That’s expected to be the Dallas Cowboys’ motto in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But evidence suggests not necessarily, including the latest pre-draft decision from the team.
On Friday, the Cowboys’ decision to attend a specific Pro Day showed they’re still willing to consider picking a wide receiver in the first round of the draft.
Cowboys show up to Jordyn Tyson’s Pro Day
The Cowboys were in attendance for Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson’s personal Pro Day on Friday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. At least 20 other teams were in attendance.
The Cowboys go to many Pro Days, but this one is more important than most others. And it implies explicit interest in the wide receiver.
Tyson is one of this year’s most intriguing prospects overall. He’s a first-round talent that can play inside or outside. At 6-foot-2, Tyson is a natural creating separation at the line of scrimmage and he has the speed required to start in the NFL right away.
The only question? Injuries. Many of them.
In 2025, he missed three games due to a hamstring. In 2024, a left collarbone injury knocked him out for the last two games of the season. A year earlier, he redshirted because of a knee injury that caused him to miss the final three games of his 2022 season.
That’s what teams really want to find out about, including the Cowboys—who had multiple representatives in attendance per Ryan Fowler.
Now, I wouldn’t expect the Cowboys to pick Tyson if one of this year’s premium defenders is on the board. But in a wipe out scenario, Dallas could realistically lean toward the best player available. The team’s front brass has said in the past that’s how they plan to approach the draft.
At the very minimum, this proves the Cowboys aren’t ruling it out. The team also hosted first-round prospect WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) on a pre-draft visit.
Latest intel on Tyson
There’s no question if the Cowboys pick Tyson it will be a highly controversial pick. But at least, fans should know teams are more comfortably with his injury track record than expected.
That’s at least according to draft insider Matt Miller from ESPN.
“I think Jordyn Tyson goes much higher than earlier expected,” Miller wrote on social media. “Teams are comfortable with the [injury] history. Conversation for him starts at 5 but he’s off the board no later than 16.”
My money is on the Cowboys picking defense. But I won’t be shocked if they add yet another talented playmaker to the room spearheaded by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Jordyn Tyson scouting report summary
“Tyson is an interesting player to break down. He has a lot of plus abilities that will translate to the NFL, especially his ability to attack the football in the air. He tracks the ball well, attacks it with strong hands, and doesn’t allow the defender to bully him. Tyson’s football IQ is high as a route runner, and he understands when to either flatten or deepen the route.” – A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness.