It’s finally draft week! The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh. All of the speculation and buildup is coming to a head, as is the excitement surrounding how the Dallas Cowboys plan on utilizing their two first-round picks this year. While there are endless predictions of how this could play out, some of our staff here at Blogging The Boys got together to take it a step further by attempting to protect how Dallas’ entire draft could play out.
Here is how the BTB staff selected:
Sean Martin
TRADE: DAL
sends 1.20, 5.152 to CLE for 1.24, 3.70
1.12 DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
1.24 CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
3.70 LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
3.92 CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
4.12 SAF Michael Taaffe, Texas
5.172 OT Carver Willis, Washington
5.180 TE Sam Roush, Stanford
7.218 DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
Mesidor became the best-case scenario after trying and failing to trade up with the Browns. He fills multiple needs as a standup rusher or down lineman. Johnson will need a lot of refinement at the next level, but with Christian Parker he could be stepping in the right situation. With the pick from the Browns we addressed a major need at LB, with another all-round athletic player with some enforcer ability in Trotter. In a pair of Texas DBs (Muhammad, Taaffe) we added some all-important depth to Dallas’ secondary. Willis fits the bill as a former player under Conor Riley at Kansas State and Roush is a four-year starter at Stanford who provides more depth the TE. Harris rounds out the draft as a traits pick to bulk up the DL even more at 6’7″, 330-pounds.
David Howman
TRADE: DAL sends 12 and 20 for CLE 6 and 39
1.6: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2.39: Edge TJ Parker, Clemson
3.92: LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
4.112: Edge Anthony Lucas, USC
5.152: OT Brian Parker II, Duke
5.177: RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5.180: CB Devon Marshall, Florida
2.218: WR J Michael Sturdivant, Florida
I’m against trading up, but it sounds like the Cowboys plan on doing so anyway. Here, they move up for Downs, an instant playmaker in Christian Parker’s scheme at the all-important nickel spot. Parker is an exciting, if still raw, edge rusher. He’s got plus ability against the run too, which is key for this new defense. Boettcher is one of the more divisive LB prospects in this year’s class. He is a heatseeking missile and makes a lot of sense for Christian Parker. Lucas is a former 5-star prospect who is teeming with potential. His large frame makes him a tweener for most schemes but would fit on this revamped DL. Parker needs a bit of development but has the tools and traits to grow into a starter at OT. Allen has a similar play style to Javonte Williams and seriously boosts the RB depth. Marshall is a bit of a late bloomer who thrives in zone coverage and is a willing tackler. Sturdivant is a fluid, consistent hands catcher with traits-y developmental upside.
Matt Holleran
1.12: Edge Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami
1.20: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
3.92: LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
4.112: S Bud Clark, TCU
5.152: RB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
5.177: CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
5.180: TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama
7.218: LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Despite all the chatter about a trade up, I think the Cowboys stick and pick at both 12 and 20. As tempting as it would be to get a player like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles, I see Dallas valuing adding to first-round defenders too highly to sacrifice both picks. In my mock, I have the Cowboys addressing their pass rush and secondary by selecting Akheem Mesidor and Colton Hood in the first round. After that, they continue to upgrade their defense with Josiah Trotter and Bud Clark before taking a chance on some high-ceiling prospects in the later rounds.
Brian Martin
TRADE: DAL sends 1.20 to HOU for 1.28, 2.59
1.12: Edge Reuben Bain Jr., Miami
1.28: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
2.59: CB/S Treydan Stukes, Arizona
3.92: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
4.112: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
5.152: DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina
5.177: LB/Edge Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
5.180: TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
7.218: LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana-Lafayette
I believe the Cowboys can stand pat at No. 12 and still land an impact defensive player. Bain immediately upgrades Dallas’ pass rush off the edge and from the interior. In the trade with the Texans, we add Dallas’ new green dot MLB in Rodriguez and a versatile nickel in Stukes. From there we added some more depth and a potential starter at CB in Muhammad, massive OT in Burke, and Barrett provides more depth at DT. Perkins brings versatility to the defense as an LB/Edge and Trigg adds depth to the TE position. We close it out with Dugger (6’4”, 245 with 35” arms), an intriguing prospect and former safety who has also played all LB positions and rushed off the edge.
