How early is too early to start looking ahead to next year’s NFL Draft? That’s a trick question, because it’s never too early. It’s all in fun at this point because we still have no way of knowing which players will enter the draft next year or where they will end up being slotted, and where teams will pick, but it’s still a fun exercise to do.
We used Pro Football Network’s draft simulator to do a way-too-early 2027 three-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys. Despite upgrading their roster with
their 2026 draft picks, they still have quite a few roster “needs” not only for this year, but next year as well. We tried to keep that in mind for this mock draft exercise.
*Cowboys have two first-round draft picks in 2027 via the Micah Parsons’ trade with Green Bay. The better of the two will go to the New York Jets as part of the Cowboys trade for DT Quinnen Williams.
Round 1, Pick 27 – Edge Quincy Rhodes Jr., Arkansas
The Cowboys pretty much made over their entire defensive front in order to better fit Christian Parker’s scheme, but they probably aren’t done. They could still use some talent along the defensive front both off the edge and from the interior. Quincy Rhodes has the position flex and talent to make an immediate impact across Dallas’ DL. At 6’6″, 275-pounds, he has the athleticism and bend to rush off the edge and the strength and power to kick inside to play the 4i position in Parkers 3-4 defense. That versatility could make him an ideal fit in Dallas.
Round 2, Pick 44 – WR Nick Marsh, Indiana
Will George Pickens receive a long-term extension after the 2026 season or be franchise tagged again? The unknown surrounding Pickens’ future with the Cowboys could lead them to draft his eventual replacement early in the 2027 NFL Draft. With similar size (6’3″, 205) and speed Nick Marsh could step in for Pickens to complement CeeDee Lamb nicely. Marsh, a Michigan State transfer, is a powerful WR with vice grip hands and the speed to threaten defenses vertically. He also possesses the route running ability to be a three-level threat.
Round 3, Pick 80 – LB Christian Alliegro, Ohio State
The Cowboys traded for LB Dee Winters and drafted Jaishawn Barham, but the former is entering the last year of his rookie contract and the latter may find his best position in the NFL is rushing off the edge. Linebacker could very much be a “need” next year for the Cowboys and Christian Alliegro could fill that hole. The 6’4″, 245-pound Wisconsin transfer is a tremendous athlete and is expected to be one of the best LB prospects in the nation in 2027. He should carry on the tradition of former Ohio State LBs making an impact in the NFL.
