The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner. The Dallas Cowboys have many options with two first-round picks, and as things get closer we see some reasonable and also some crazy mocks coming out. Before things get too crazy, let’s look at Day 3 and five of the most underrated prospects the Cowboys could target and why you should know these names.
Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
Wisniewski is exactly the kind of late-round hybrid defensive back teams talk themselves into on Saturday. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, had 78
tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups in 2025, and posted an 80.9 PFF grade with strong run-defense marks. He’s a massive sleeper on Day 3 and a name Cowboys fans need to go check out given the safety need on the roster.
Nyjalik Kelly, EDGE, UCF
Dallas’ brought in Kelly for one of their Top 30 visits, and this is a pure traits bet. Kelly is listed at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds with a sixth-round projection, and that’s after a season with 46 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. That is not polished-starter production, but for a Cowboys team still needing edge depth, he makes sense as a long-limbed rotational rusher with upside.
Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
He is not a reported Dallas visitor, but he fits the need. Most have him projected as a sixth-round linebacker but his numbers argue otherwise. He’s listed at 6-foot-1, 233 pounds and put up 136 tackles with two forced fumbles, and is especially strong in run-defense along with good coverage skills. For a team that still needs linebacker depth, he’s the kind of high-volume, chase-and-finish player worth targeting if Dallas waits.
Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
This is the one offensive name fans need to keep in mind. Dallas did re-sign Javonte Williams, so running back is not the same kind of need as corner or edge, but Claiborne is classic late-round value. He’s more of a fifth-round guy and worth reaching for rather than waiting for the sixth. He brings 4.37s speed, 907 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns and 28 catches from last season. That profile gives Dallas a cheap, explosive complement if Dallas wants more juice in the backfield on Day 3.
Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (Ohio)
Dallas’ linebacker need is the one position that cannot go overlooked this year, and Kuwatch is a name to watch. He checks the true Day 3 box but here’s a guy that measures in at 6-foot-4, 232-pound and plays as a great downhill linebacker that put up 109 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. He gives Dallas a late-round flier with special teams value and developmental linebacker depth, and is going quite overlooked.
