The Dallas Cowboys ended Round 1 of the draft feeling euphoric after drafting many analysts' top player, safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State, and high-rising UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. While fans celebrate, the draft isn’t done, and the team has started looking at Day 2 to see who they like and where they might need to get them. They only have one selection currently, pick No. 92, so Dallas might need to maneuver around to get some of their top guys.
The safety position is solidified with the addition of Downs, and Lawrence being added to the Rashan Gary acquisition could end the need at pass rusher. The significant remaining needs are linebacker, cornerback, and offensive options. Here are some players connected to Dallas going into Round 2 and Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood was a consideration at 12 if the team felt wiped out of their top options and at 20 along with Lawrence. Treydan Stukes jumped on the radar in a trade-back situation in the last week as a versatile cornerback option who could play some safety if necessary. Keionte Scott helped Miami(FL) reach the National Championship game by playing nickel corner with physicality. Downs and Jalen Thompson can play nickel, but with Christian Parker’s scheme, multiple versatile defensive backs are extremely important.
Jermod McCoy fell out of the first round due to concerns about his knee, and the Cowboys have made it clear they aren't looking to draft any redshirt players, but they did have him into the facility for a closer look.
The Cowboys also had 30 visits with South Carolina's Brandon Cisse, Clemson's Avieon Terrell and Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds and a Dallas Day visit with Texas' Malik Muhammad.
When the draft process started, Georgia’s CJ Allen was linked to Dallas at 20 on nearly every mock draft. Adding his instincts to Downs would make Dallas one of the smartest defenses in the league up the middle of the field. Jacob Rodriguez was the talk of the pre-draft process with his interviews, as he and Dallas had dinner but he wasn't an official visitor. His production that got him in the first-round range. He doesn’t have the physicality of Allen, but is much better in coverage and as an athlete and we'll include him here.
Josiah Trotter is a physical run defender who sees the ball, triggers downhill, and makes plays, but needs improvement in coverage.
Dallas also met with Texas' Anthony Hill and TCU's Kaleb Elarms-Orr, who could be a surprise Round 3 selection.
Eli Stowers is a receiving tight end who was a former quarterback. He is an athletic prospect with great hands who could be an upgrade to Luke Schoonmaker for the Cowboys. Wide receiver Chris Bell would be a first-round pick if he hadn’t gotten injured, but that could allow him to fall to Dallas, where they could take him as a future replacement for George Pickens. Garrett Nussmeier is a lottery ticket the Cowboys could start developing at quarterback, who could be trade bait or a Dak Prescott replacement in a few seasons if Nussmeier can be a starting-level QB. The Cowboys could also look to draft offensive tackles to strengthen the weakest part of their line, though the first-round run was so strong, most of the remaining prospects are seen as Day 3 guys..
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 16 Day 2 prospects the Cowboys showed heavy pre-draft interest in