With many needs on one side of the ball, could the Cowboys draft an entirely defensive 2026 class?
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is seen before an NCAA football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La.Back in 2020, first-year head coach Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers did something interesting on draft weekend.
They used all seven of their picks on defense in the hope of turning around a unit that finished 31st in terms of points allowed. For what it’s worth: The Panthers jumped up to No. 18 in the NFL in points allowed the following year.. Those moves shouldn’t prevent them from adding in those places. They also have yet to fill a major need at linebacker.in our previous two mock drafts, in part, because Delane wasn’t there. This time, let’s say Delane is available at No. 12. Delane is looked at as the best outside corner in the draft. He allowed just 14 receptions on 35 targets in an All-American season at LSU. He had eight career interceptions during his time at LSU and Virginia Tech. He could be a cornerstone of the Dallas secondary and the latest project for new defensive coordinator. If he’s there, the Cowboys should sprint to the podium. But will he? Kansas City at No. 9 could potentially snag him before the Cowboys are on the clock.The Cowboys trade the 20th pick and pick No. 112 to the San Francisco 49ers for the 27th pick and pick No. 58.. Why not another? San Francisco trades up to try to find an heir apparent to Trent Williams. The Cowboys, meanwhile, recoup a second-round pick, once again giving them two Day 2 selections.I know, I know: It’s a bit of hedging on my part to have two players, but it encapsulates the potential risks with trading back. In this scenario, the Cowboys move back seven spots. A logical floor for Allen is the Denver Broncos at No. 30. A potential ceiling could be the middle of the first round. It’s a wide gap at a position the Cowboys seem destined to fill early. If they can get Allen at No. 27, great. If he’s gone, then they turn their attention to. Rodriguez will go earlier than people may think. Side note: The Cowboys want a linebacker to pair with DeMarvion Overshown. I could already see both of them walking into the locker room on gameday with Cowboy hats on.The Cowboys have already done a lot of remodeling work in their secondary. Here, they do it with another versatile piece. Scott is a playmaker who. He’s versatile, tenacious and intelligent. He’s someone who could fit in Parker’s secondary in multiple different ways. Texas Tech defensive end Romello Height recovers a fumble during the second half of the Big 12 Championship football game against BYU at AT&T Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington. Texas Tech defeated BYU 34-7.Hey, nothing says no redshirts like drafting back-to-back 25-year-olds, right? Height has the speed and physical ability to quickly help an NFL defense. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at the combine and jumped 39 inches. He seems to be slipping on external draft boards, but his athleticism and potential make him a good selection here in Round 3.In this scenario, the Cowboys try to trade back up to get TCU safety Bud Clark in the fourth round, but they’re unsuccessful, and Clark goes before they can snag him. Instead, they turn to a big, athletic safety and former team captain. Payne is 6-3 and ran a 4.4 40-yard dash. He is another versatile secondary piece that could also be an asset on special teams.could live with an all-defensive draft. So here we throw him a bone. Koziol had 20 contested catches last season for the Cougars. At 6-6, he would potentially give the Cowboys another red zone target. He also would be good insurance for Jake Ferguson’s contested catch ability if Ferguson is out. Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara celebrates a sack against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.The Cowboys, in this case, double dip on potential edge players. Kamara is a high-motor player who can make plays both on defense and special teams. He had a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown in the national championship game. Kamara and Height could add to a pass-rush rotation for the Cowboys.Robinson was probably the biggest name that wasn’t invited to the combine. He was an All-American last season and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He may be undersized, but he’s productive and would compete for a roster spot on the defensive line.This wasn’t your usual sports experience out at JerryWorld and the Globe, but it was a positive one for North Texas.Jones and the founder and chairman of Penske Corp. discussed the partnership that resulted in this weekend’s race in Arlington.The Commanders and Giants were busy on day one, while the Eagles are yet to add anyone in free agency.Before the April draft, Cowboys insider Joseph Hoyt is offering insight on some of the draft’s most intriguing prospects.Joseph covers the Dallas Cowboys for The Dallas Morning News. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Joseph interned at The News before working for The Ames Tribune and KOIN-TV in Portland. He returned to The News in Nov. 2018 and spent five years here before he left to cover the Cowboys for Lone Star Live and DLLS Sports.
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