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The Dallas Cowboys need a reset. After another season that never found its footing, the franchise heads into the 2026 NFL Draft searching for stability, youth, and upside at premium positions. According to the PFF mock draft simulator, Dallas takes a measured approach. The Cowboys must invest in the trenches and the secondary. Dallas must protect the present while planning for the future. It’s not flashy. It is, however, very ‘Cowboys.’
Dallas closed the 2025 campaign at 7-9-1. They missed the playoffs for a second straight year and spent far too much of the season stuck in neutral. Offensive inconsistency plagued the unit. The defense oscillated between disruptive and leaky. A brutal midseason stretch saw Dallas go seven consecutive games without a win. By the time Week 18 arrived, priorities had shifted. In a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants, key starters, including Dak Prescott, were pulled early. That was a clear signal that the organization had already turned the page.
There were bright spots, of course. However, they felt isolated rather than structural. Jadeveon Clowney’s late-season surge, capped by a career-high three sacks in the finale, underscored how thin the pass-rush depth had become beyond Micah Parsons. The Cowboys didn’t bottom out. Still, they never truly climbed, either. That’s the most dangerous place to be in the NFL.
Dallas enters the 2026 draft with clear priorities, even if the overall vision remains in flux.
Defensively, the need is quite urgent. With Clowney’s future uncertain, the Cowboys must continue to invest in the defensive line. Cornerback and linebacker depth have also become issues in a division loaded with capable quarterbacks and improving receiver rooms. Add in the need for offensive line reinforcement, and the blueprint becomes clear: premium positions, premium picks.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Cowboys’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.
With their first selection, Dallas turns to the secondary. They will land Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. On tape, McCoy looks like the prototype for modern press-man coverage. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, comfortable hand-fighting through routes, and explosive enough to recover when challenged vertically. His ball production as a sophomore was highlighted by interceptions and forced incompletions alike. Those jump off the screen.
There is risk here, though. McCoy is working back from a torn ACL. Patience will be required as he regains full confidence and fluidity. He can also be overly aggressive against inside releases. That’s something NFL route runners will exploit early. Still, the upside is obvious. If McCoy returns to pre-injury form, Dallas may have found a long-term CB1 who fits perfectly with their desire to play aggressive, man-heavy coverage on the outside.
Later in the first round, the Cowboys pivot to the offensive line with Spencer Fano. He is a polished and versatile blocker whose game translates...
