Draft day is rapidly approaching. With that come the rumors. We’ve gathered a random collection of draft rumors that popped up over the weekend that may impact the Cowboys’ draft plans.
CB Jermod McCoy dropping to second round?
Albert Breer suggests McCoy’s medical red flags on his knee may drop him to the second round. Issue seems to be less about immediate contribution in 2026, and more about how the wear on his knee raises questions over how long he’d last as a pro. Jerry Jones said the Cowboys won’t have time for “redshirt” years on their
defense.
DE Malachi Lawrence at #20?
Daniel Jeremiah said he’s heard the Dallas Cowboys could be a surprise landing spot for Lawrence if they stick with their two first-rounders.
CB Chris Johnson’s not a first-rounder?
San Diego State is not a Power 4 school (Stephen Jones mentioned Will McClay and the organization wanting to focus more on power 5 schools and referenced that NIL has driven a lot of talent you may have found at smaller schools in the past to those larger schools), and Albert Breer says many teams don’t see Johnson as a first-rounder due the big jump in competition he’ll face at the NFL level.
But the Cowboys appear unimpressed about the small-school angle. Per Tony Pauline, Johnson and Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez are in play for the Cowboys with the 20th pick.
“Ideally, the team would like to trade down from that slot and then select either of the two.”
Late-rising CB Treydan Stukes a first-round prospect?
The Cowboys brought Stukes in for an official predraft visit, and he seems to be flying up draft boards as of late. Adam Shefter writes:
One NFL general manager called Stukes “one of the best safeties I’ve seen [in my time as a GM],” and added he would draft him ahead of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. “This guy makes freaky plays that I haven’t seen other safeties make.” It would not be a shock to see Stukes sneak into Round 1.
Daniel Jeremiah is also jumping on the Stukes train:
“I’m a big fan. He’s got a lot of heat and buzz around the league. He can play nickel, outside, post. Tested well, ran 4.33. You see somebody who plays to that speed.”
Dane Brugler mentions him as a “Top 40″ pick. Tony Pauline also has him as a Top 40 candidate:
“Entering the season with Day 3 grades, Stukes is unlikely to get past pick 42 based on the information coming out of final draft meetings”
Keldric Faulk at 20 if Cowboys can’t move down?
In his most recent podcast, Todd McShay argues the Cowboys are much more likely to move down from 20 than move up from 12. McShay thinks the default move at 20 for the Cowboys would be Faulk, but he thinks the Cowboys would really like to use that pick to recoup a second-rounder.
McShay also expects a wild run on tackles at around 20, which should put the Cowboys in a good spot for trading down.
Arvell Reese or David Bailey to Cowboys at No. 5?
Adam Shefter goes out on a limb here with this Cowboys trade-up scenario:
There are draft surprises every year, with players going in spots no one forecasted. Here’s one that, depending on how the first few picks play out, has generated some speculation in a handful of front offices
If the Jets take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, which many believe will happen …
If the Cardinals then take Love, which appears to be gaining some traction …
And if the Titans then take Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, which is one of Tennessee’s options …
Then Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese — or Bailey, if the Jets take Reese at No. 2 — could slide to No. 5. It would suddenly be very tempting for a team such as the Cowboys to potentially trade up for a top-tier pass rusher. Again, the draft would have to go a specific way for this scenario to play out. But two teams raised this scenario this weekend, wondering if it somehow could unfold this week. It’s exactly the type of scenario that makes the draft so compelling.
We already covered Shefter’s ideas earlier, but didn’t include this take on the idea:
Henry McKenna of Foxports calls that type of trade-up “ridiculous” and draws an unflattering comparison to the plot of Draft Day.
But trading up for Styles is comparable to the plot of Draft Day — giving up multiple first-round picks to get a linebacker. It’s the most ridiculous plot point of the movie and that’s saying something. I don’t like the Cowboys doing it in real life.
So here’s hoping if the Cowboys do move up, they don’t worry about getting into the top five picks. They jump up a few spots, if necessary, to snag Miami edge Rueben Bain or Caleb Downs … or even Styles, if he slips to seventh or eighth. But the whole idea was to use the Parsons trade as an opportunity to bring depth and balance to the defense. Don’t abandon that whole idea. Make sure you come away from the 2026 draft with two first-round picks. Make sure you preserve your first-rounders in the 2027 draft.
For the love of all things good in the world, don’t write “Sonny Styles No Matter What” on a Post-it.
Local beat writer mocks:
Jon Machota of the Athletic and Nick Harris of the Star Telegram both published mock drafts today.
Machota has the Cowboys trading up to #6 (Dallas gave up 12, 20 and 152 and received No. 6 and No. 39 overall in return) and coming away with
Round 1, No. 6 overall: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Round 2, No. 39 overall: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
Harris has the Cowboys staying put, with the following results:
No. 12 – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
No. 20 – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
