Cowboys will closely watch a first-round prospect in college football’s National Championship, even if most fans would hate the pick
This prospect would make a lot of sense for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of better defensive players, and one of the likeliest ways they’ll acquire some is the 2026 NFL Draft, in which they hold two first-round picks.
The Cowboys posted one of the worst defensive years in franchise history by parlaying the Micah Parsons trade, several key departures on defense, and the hiring of Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator. Naturally, fans and media members alike agree the two first rounders should be used on defense.
And yet, fans should gear up for the possibility of picking offense—even if they would loathe another offensive lineman. And one of the players that makes the most sense in that case happens to be playing on Monday’s College Football National Championship between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers. If you’re tuning in, here’s what you should know about him.
The Cowboys’ likely first-round target playing in the National Championship
Though Miami’s edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would be great to see as a Cowboy, he’s expected to be a Top 5 draft pick and I don’t view Dallas trading up.
Instead, I’m talking about Miami’s right tackle Francis Mauigoa (wears #61), who is considered one of the top two tackles in the NFL Draft alongside Utah’s Spencer Fano. According to Grinding the Mocks, Mauigoa’s expected draft position is No. 12, precisely in the Cowboys’ range.
Considering the Cowboys are famously willing to spend first-round picks on offensive linemen, you can’t rule out a scenario in which they overlook defensive woes for the sake of getting better in the trenches. The fans may not love it because of the urgency on defense, but one of our top NFL Draft experts at A to Z Sports, Rob Gregson, believes if Mauigoa is still available, Dallas must not hesitate.
NFL Draft expert on Francis Mauigoa
Gregson: “Honestly, if Francis Mauigoa is available at the 12th overall pick when Dallas is on the clock, it becomes a “sprint the card in situation.” He’s the best offensive lineman in the class for me. Sure, he’s a right tackle that some have pegged to be a guard at the next level. But I disagree. I have seen Mauigoa play in person multiple times and watched enough of him to know that he has everything it takes to succeed at the next level.
“He’s a mauler in the run game, powering the right side of the Hurricanes’ offensive line and run game to the national championship. He can recover, yet anchor with excellent hips, mirror and match footwork, and technical hand placement. It used to be that you placed the lesser athlete at right tackle, but Mauigoa may be the best athlete on any line in college.”
Cowboys badly need better pass pro
And hey, I get it. The Cowboys defense was awful in 2025. But you know what? The pass protection at tackle wasn’t that far off.
The offense was the team’s strength despite its offensive tackles, not because of them. Quarterback Dak Prescott played one of his best years yet in the NFL, yet inconsistencies showed up largely because of how limited the protection was. The game plan often relied of max protection concepts—in which running backs and tight ends had to help blocking—just to give Prescott time. Things got so bad the Cowboys moved their All-Pro guard to left tackle late in the year.
Right tackle Terence Steele is a likely cap casualty ahead of the 2026 offseason and Tyler Guyton at left tackle isn’t a guarantee either. Mauigoa doesn’t sound that bad, if you ask me. For now, he’s who you want to watch on Monday’s championship game.
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