The Dallas Cowboys hope to fix a defense that suffered in 2025 thanks to Micah Parsons' absence.
So when do the Cowboys pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Tonight, in the first round, Dallas have selections at No. 12 and No. 20, thanks to the trade that sent Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last summer. Defense figures to be a big part of Day 1.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker inherits a unit that gave up the most points in franchise history in 2025. Although Dallas could use 12 and 20 to select multiple potential starters for Parker's defense, rumors have been swirling about a potential trade up or down in the order. There were questions about whether a wide receiver could be on the table, but the Dallas Morning News reports that George Pickens will sign his nonexclusive franchise tag.
Here are the potential paths the Cowboys could take in the first round of the NFL draft.
At ESPN, Jeremy Fowler and Matt Miller combined to predict the first round.
Miller had the Cowboys taking LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Fowler reports that the Cowboys will be monitoring the trade market and could target linebacker Sonny Styles. He also said Dallas values Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson, but Pickens' signing makes this a less likely option.
For pick No. 20, Miller is going with Auburn edge Keldric Faulk. He wrote that he initially had the Cowboys taking a safety with their second pick, "but after additional calls and texts, it sounds like the Cowboys view edge rusher as a bigger area of need. Faulk's name was brought up as a potential 3-4 defensive end in Christian Parker's defense. 'They need big boys that can control gaps,' said an offensive coach who has schemed against Parker before."
If the Cowboys want to draft one of Styles or Caleb Downs, a trade-up would probably be necessary. Fowler and Miller have Downs and Styles going within the top 10 picks.
Whether Dallas has the stomach to overpay for a top 10 pick, however, is the question. The Morning News' Cowboys reporter Joe Hoyt wrote Tuesday that he is skeptical the team will do so.