5 postdraft thoughts on the Cowboys: Will surprise starter emerge from Dallas' 2026 class?

Luck be a Cowboy

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave a task to head coach Brian Schottenheimer before the draft. He told him to make a list of players that he loved in this draft and, consequently, he’d be heartbroken to not draft. Their first round pick, defensive back Caleb Downs, was on that list. So was their third-round pick, Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham. “We were able to get a couple of those guys — guys that will have a huge impact for us this year,” Schottenheimer said. “It was a really cool way of doing the process.” It’s worth noting that Schottenheimer’s list was one of many predraft exercises. They did mock drafts to try to foresee the many different ways the draft could go before they picked. They used AI as an assistant. It’s safe to say not many of those simulations ended with the Cowboys landing Downs. “We got lucky on that one to be able to do it,” Jones said. The Cowboys were prepared. They were aggressive and moved up. No doubt were also a little lucky, too — to not only get Downs where they did but Barham, too.

No redshirt but a risk

Late Friday night, after the second day of the draft had come and gone, Jones made a declaration. The Cowboys wouldn’t entertain the idea of drafting a player in the fourth round who might have to redshirt. They wanted players who could make the 53-man roster and contribute this season. No redshirts didn’t mean taking a player without any risk, however. The Cowboys, in search of an outside corner, landed a tall, athletic and productive one in Florida cornerback Devin Moore. Moore was healthy last season, playing in 11 games, but he played in only 30 games in four seasons. He dealt with a variety of injuries during that time. He also had sports hernia surgery after this past season, but he was able to work out at his pro day. Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay said they gave Moore a “passing” medical evaluation. "A big athlete that can think,” McClay said. “We feel good about it." If healthy, Moore is a corner who could compete for playing time early. There is inherent risk because of that medical question, but in the fourth round they deemed it’s worth the risk.

Are they done at LB?

The Cowboys executed a long-standing contingency plan during the draft. They had linebacker Dee Winters as a potential trade candidate for months. The former TCU linebacker came to mind when they traded former Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco. On Friday, after starting-caliber linebackers had been selected, the Cowboys traded a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for Winters. The Cowboys look at Winters as a starting-caliber linebacker next to DeMarvion Overshown. Should he be the only candidate, however? Dallas is open to adding another linebacker now that the draft has passed. There are multiple veteran options on the free agent market. Currently, the Cowboys have 88 players on their roster. They still have some roster flexibility if they want it. Linebacker will probably be one of those pursuits.

Can this rookie be a surprise starter?

The Cowboys made a major transformation to their defense. It was the first thing Jones pointed out in his postdraft news conference. The results back it up. Go back to Week 1 of last year compared to now, the Cowboys are looking at eight or nine potential new starters on defense. There’s one position that’s hard to figure out from a projected depth chart standpoint. Under Christian Parker’s base 3-4, who will be the third defensive tackle next to Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams? It would’ve likely been Odighizuwa, but he’s now in San Francisco. In Odighizuwa’s place, how about someone who reminds the Cowboys of him? Cowboys fourth-round pick LT Overton was listed as an edge rusher when he was drafted. The Cowboys quickly said that he could play defensive tackle for them or a big defensive end, which makes sense, considering he’s more than 270 pounds with room to grow. The Cowboys could also go with a look where Otito Ogbonnia plays inside, leaving Clark and Williams to handle the two other tackle spots. The Cowboys will be in nickel a lot and rotate defensive tackles anyway, but Overton could possibly be in line for more play than other fourth-round rookies.

Can these two UDFAs make the roster?

History tells us at least one undrafted free agent will make the roster. How about two? The Cowboys agreed to terms with 11 undrafted free agents as of Monday. Two that stood out were Baylor tight end Michael Trigg and SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson. Trigg was rated as a potential fifth-round pick, according to *The Athletic.* Cowboys tight end coach Lunda Wells worked closely with Trigg at Baylor Pro Day. He was by his side the whole time. Now Trigg will have the chance to work with Wells in Dallas. There’s opportunity for Trigg, as well. Jake Ferguson is the team’s starting tight end. Former undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford has an inside track on the second tight end spot. Former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker is entering the final year of his deal. Trigg could make things tough on the Cowboys when it comes to the final tight end spot. His spectacular catch ability should be on display in the preseason. Another spot with opportunity is wide receiver. There should be some competition at the back end. Cowboys draft pick Anthony Smith and Hudson are two guys who could battle for it. Those are two early undrafted free agents to watch in training camp.