The 2026 NFL Draft is just a little over two weeks away. The Dallas Cowboys have two first-round picks for the first time since 2008, making this the most important draft for the franchise’s future success in recent memory.
Plenty of scenarios have been explored, and we’ve seen nearly every top defensive player linked to the Cowboys in one way or another. While there has been some smoke about top defenders such as Caleb Downs or Rueben Bain Jr. falling to the Cowboys at pick 12, there is still a very real
scenario where they get on the clock, and all their top defensive targets are off the board.
Jaime Eisner of The Draft Network laid out this scenario in his recent “What I Would Do” mock draft. In the eleven picks before the Cowboys’ selection, Eisner had defenders Arvell Reese, Reuben Bain Jr., Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, David Bailey, Mansoor Delane, and Jermod McCoy all being selected.
With Dallas pretty much wiped out of their top defensive targets, Eisner had the Cowboys selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at pick 12. Here’s what Eisner had to say about the versatile backend defender.
Dillon Thieneman checks a lot of boxes: experience, ball production, range, football IQ, etc. Oh, and he absolutely stole the show at the 2026 NFL Combine, too. If there were ever a draft to throw positional value out the window in round one, this is it. Thieneman projects as an instant starter in the Dallas Cowboys’ defense.
Thieneman is a quality prospect and might turn out to be a very good NFL player, but the Cowboys sticking at 12 and picking him is a downright disaster scenario. If things played out like they did in Eisner’s 11 picks prior, Dallas would likely be doing everything possible to move out of their pick, and in all likelihood would find someone willing to move up. But if no one is willing to pony up and offer a fair deal, it raises an interesting question about how the Cowboys would pivot.
After a questionable selection at pick 12, Eisner had Dallas making another interesting choice at 20, selecting Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Here is what he had to say about the talented defensive linemen.
Peter Woods lost some of his luster in 2025. Originally projected to be a top-10 pick, his landing spot is murky even this close to the draft. But as the Cowboys look to rebuild their defense, I like the idea of adding Woods here. He is already an excellent run defender, but what makes him especially intriguing is his upside as a pass rusher. His athleticism, power, and relentless motor give him the tools to develop into a legitimate interior disruptor on passing downs, adding much-needed versatility and long-term upside to the Cowboys’ defensive front.
While Dallas could always use some interior defensive line depth, with all the needs elsewhere on their defense, selecting an IDL in the first round would be a head-scratching move. Woods has tons of talent, but with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark already on the roster, the rookie would likely not be able to make a huge impact in year one.
All in all, walking away with a combo of Thieneman/Woods and no additional draft capital would be as close to a nightmare scenario as possible for the Cowboys.
What would you do in this situation? Trade? Take a different player than what is described here?
