Blogging The Boys
If you’re focused on the strength of the Cowboys’ 2026 draft picks at this point, it was not a merry Christmas. How did Thursday’s games hurt Dallas in the projected draft order, and how could the rest of the Week 17 schedule help?
The Cowboys’ victory over Washington, taking them to 7-8-1, arguably cost them a couple of draft spots. We still need to see what happens with 7-8 teams like Baltimore and Tampa Bay this week, but Dallas’ win puts it on the verge of a .500 finish with only the Giants left on the schedule. Already 15th in the updated order, they could end up with one of the best records of the non-playoff teams and slide even further down the board.
The other NFC game on Thursday was also no help. Minnesota’s upset over Detroit put them both at 8-8, and they have tough finales coming against the Packers and Bears, respectively. Both could easily finish 8-9, which means the Cowboys would have a better record if they beat the Giants. What’s more, the Lions’ loss clinched a playoff spot for the Packers, further devaluing the first-round pick they owe Dallas next spring.
Here is the current projected draft order for the non-playoff teams. Postseason results will determine the order for the other 14 teams that make the tournament.
1. Giants 2-13
2. Raiders 2-13
3. Browns 3-12
4. Jets 3-12
5. Titans 3-12
6. Cardinals 3-12
7. Commanders 4-12
8. Saints 5-10
9. Bengals 5-10
10. Chiefs 6-10
11. Dolphins 6-9
12. Rams (from Falcons) 6-9
13. Ravens 7-8
14. Buccaneers 7-8
15. Cowboys 7-8-1
16. Lions 8-8
17. Vikings 8-8
18. Jets (from Colts) 8-7
What does Dallas need from the rest of this penultimate week? Let’s get into the Saturday and Sunday games. We’re only going to look at those that actually have some potential bearing on the Cowboys’ 2026 draft position, which not all of them do.
This is more about Baltimore than Green Bay, actually. Now that the Packers have made the playoffs, we have to see how they fare to find out how good that pick’s going to be. The Ravens are 7-8 with the potential to win their final two against Green Bay and Pittsburgh. If they finish 9-8, they’ll be one of the few teams left who can push Dallas up the draft order.
Indy’s first pick, which belongs to the Jets, is currently in the 18th slot. Their 9th win would guarantee that they finish with a better record than Dallas.
If Atlanta can win their last two and get to 8-9, it gives Dallas a chance to move ahead of them. A Falcons win next week over the Saints is very possible, but this would be a massive upset if they knock off the Rams.
Tampa can still get to 9-8 with two-straight wins, making them another team with potential to...
