Just a month stands between the Dallas Cowboys and the start of the 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas has no room for error, and they need to walk away with multiple quality prospects if they want to be a true contender in the fall.
While the Cowboys do have two first-round picks, it’s no guarantee they will land one of the top defensive prospects in the class. Most recent mock drafts have had as many as nine defenders off the board before the Cowboys get on the clock at pick 12. Dallas’s best-case scenario
is that two or more of the teams above them decide to prioritize offense over defense, leading a talented defensive player to slide to them at number 12.
In a recent mock draft, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com explored this exact scenario, and it led to the Cowboys walking away with one of the steals of the draft. Brooks had the Browns, Saints, and Chiefs all selecting offensive players, leading the talented Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to fall to the Cowboys at pick 12. Here is what Brooks had to say about why Bain could be a great fit in Dallas.
#12 – Rueben Bain Jr.
The seasoned pass rusher can energize a veteran-laden front that features Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. Bain’s rugged game could prompt new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to push for the Brandon Graham-like disruptor.
After walking away with an absolute steal at number 12, Brooks had Dallas once again prioritizing defense with their second first-round selection. In between Dallas’ picks at 12 and 20, four additional defenders went off the board, including top cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Avion Terrell. Thankfully for the Cowboys, there was still a talented defensive back available. Brooks had Dallas following suit, selecting cornerback Colton Hood out of Tennessee at pick 20.
Here is what Brooks had to say about why the playmaking corner could be a good fit in Dallas.
#20 – Colton Hood
The Cowboys need more playmakers on the perimeter to improve a defense that struggled mightily in 2025. Hood’s instincts, awareness and physicality would make him an ideal fit in the team’s new defensive scheme under Christian Parker.
If the Cowboys were to walk away with the duo of Bain and Hood in the first round, that is about as good as you could do on day one of the draft. Both players could come in and make an immediate impact on the defense and would fill positions of need. While they still would need to add a linebacker at some point, with options still available on the trade market and in free agency, prioritizing edge rusher and cornerback with their two picks would be a smart move.
The Cowboys will need some luck on their side if they want a scenario like this to come true, but if teams above them have their sights set on offensive players, we could very well see things play out this way come April.
How would you feel about those two in the first round?
