When do the Cowboys actually pick? Projected times for Nos. 12 and 20 picks in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's a big night for the Dallas Cowboys. They've got two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Entering the night, those picks slot at Nos. 12 and 20, although don't be surprised if the Cowboys are involved in some trades to move around the board.
Jerry Jones and company enter the evening with clear needs on the defensive side of the ball, but Jerry also said earlier in the week that if the right offensive player is there, they wouldn't shy away from taking him.
Cowboys fans will want to be tuned in to make sure they don't miss any of the moves that Jones might end up making.
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The 2026 NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. Central time on Thursday, April 23rd, so the Cowboys will be on the clock twice sometime after that.
This year, the time allowed per pick in the first round is eight minutes. It used to be 10 minutes, so things could move a little bit faster.
With 11 picks before the Cowboys' first selection, you're looking at up to an hour and a half -- although some of those will be made quicker. You'll probably want to tune in by 8:15 p.m. Central to avoid missing the Cowboys' first pick.
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Except, well, you're going to want to tune in earlier. The Cowboys might trade up. Really, anything after the first pick would be fair game for the Cowboys to try and get into a spot for a potential defensive superstar.
A trade could also involve the 20th pick, so lots of moving parts could be in play.
If Dallas keeps the No. 20 pick, expect that to be made around 9:30 p.m. Central, although as the round moves on further, the timing could've been knocked further off kilter, so if you're around for that first pick, you can stick around.
The trades are definitely the possible storyline of the night, and Dallas could shift some things around quickly.
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