Cowboys draft discussion: Predicting the first 3 picks

Every week, we gather to discuss the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have Sean Martin, David Howman, and Brian Martin.

We start with the Cowboys first pick at number 12. Who do you predict Dallas to take?

**Mike:**if you’re buying the Mel Kiper Jr. scenario, my prediction is Sonny Styles, because Kiper has Dallas trading up to pick number six to get him. People can feel however they want about Kiper’s scouting, but he’s consistently been one of the better national guys at sniffing out what the Cowboys are inclined to do early in Round 1, and this trade-up for Styles smoke has been loud across the media the past week.

But if Dallas stays at 12, I’m predicting Jermod McCoy, a boundary corner with real CB1 traits, the exact type of add that changes how aggressive Christina Parker’s coverage options can be. The big tell here is he’s been a Top-30 visit player for Dallas, which matters because the Cowboys’ first-round picks routinely show up on that visit list.

Howman: Dillon Thieneman. Assuming Caleb Downs isn’t available, Thieneman checks too many boxes at the most important position for Christian Parker. He’ll slide right into the nickel spot, allowing Jalen Thompson to stay at deep safety alongside Malik Hooker.

Brian: I get the feeling the Cowboys are hoping S Caleb Downs slides pass the Giants at No. 5 and then attempts to trade up for him. Plan B I believe is either edge Keldric Faulk or S Dillon Thieneman. I agree with Howman, Thieneman just seems like too much of a perfect fit in Christian Parker scheme to pass up at No. 12.

Sean: Trading up hasn’t exactly been the Cowboys thing for some time in the first round, but count me in for expecting a trade up this time around to be more likely than Dallas drafting a safety not named Caleb Downs with their first pick, as Howman and Brian both did. With that said and in the interest of adding some variety in a draft with so little consensus on defense, put me down for Akheem Mesidor or Mansoor Delane as the most likely picks if the Cowboys stay pat at pick #12. Both would be home runs in my book as Mesidor is an instant-impact defensive end that helps continue the work Dallas has done in the trenches with size and speed, while Delane can go a long way in taking away large parts of the field in Christian Parker’s coverage schemes.

Moving onto pick number 20. What’s your prediction?

**Mike:**The obvious move is to acknowledge that if Dallas trades this pick it probably slides into the early second round, but if they stay at pick 20 my prediction is Cashius Howell from Texas A&M. He’s the exact type of traits bet you can justify at the end of Round 1. He has a twitchy first step, real production as a rusher, and the ability to win with both speed and power so you’re not living on blitzes. The run defense still needs work, but as a pressure player who can play early in a sub-package and grow into more snaps, Howell fits the front-end so the back end can breathe. The added bonus here, Howell was also a 30-visit prospect for Dallas and he had a good combine.

Howman: Jacob Rodriguez. The Cowboys need a linebacker to play next to DeMarvion Overshown, and Rodriguez was a playmaker in every facet for Texas Tech. Some (namely me) will quibble with taking a linebacker this high, but Rodriguez could be the final piece of the Cowboys’ defensive makeover this offseason.

Brian: I actually hope the Cowboys trade down from No. 20 to acquire more draft capital. But, if they stand pat, LB Jacob Rodriguez will be a popular pick here because of the need at MLB. I think I’ll go a different direction though by going with Edge Malachi Lawrence. He’s a near mirror image of David Bailey from a physical and athletic standpoint and I like his fit in Christian Parker’s scheme.

Sean: I like that Brian mentions trading down from this pick because that might be the best move. For what it’s worth, I also really like his pick of Malachi Lawrence, who may actually be the best pure pass rusher in this draft. Since I also feel like Mesidor has the better chance of making it to pick 12 compared to Delane, I’ll rule out defensive end as well as linebacker for now, and address the need at cornerback with San Diego State’s Chris Johnson 20th overall. This is the exact type of player that could use Parker’s coaching to excel at the next level.

On Day 2 with pick number 92, who do you predict Dallas to take?

**Mike:**At 92, I’d swing at wide receiver and specifically Bryce Lance, because he’s the kind of Day 2 value that protects Dallas from the George Pickens uncertainty without forcing them into an expensive veteran scramble later. Pickens is currently on the nonexclusive franchise tag, and the ‘will he stay or get moved’ chatter has legitimately been in the news cycle this past week. So Dallas needs a contingency plan that doesn’t depend on a single contract decision. Lance isn’t just a name, his testing was ridiculous with a 4.34s forty time, 1.49s 10-yard split, 41.5” vertical, 11’1” broad, and an elite RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 9.95, near as damn it tonoercect. Lance is the vertical and X-receiver Dallas would need if Pickens isn’t long-term.

Howman: Keyron Crawford. The EDGE out of Auburn profiles mostly as a designated pass rusher early on, but the Cowboys need some pass rush juice right now. His numbers don’t pop, but Crawford was very consistent in creating pressure across his time in college.

Brian: After going Caleb Downs or Dillon Thieneman at No. 12 and Malachi Lawrence at No. 20, I think the Cowboys would target former Longhorns CB Malik Muhammad. He’s someone they’ve shown significant interest in throughout the draft process and he’s scheme diverse to be equally effective in man or zone coverage. I believe he’s a potential plug-and-play starter as a rookie.

Sean: If Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter is still available here, I’d continue straight down the list of Cowboys needs on defense with pass rusher, cornerback, and linebacker by selecting Trotter. This is a player that locks in on his target and gets to the ball without being picked off by blocks, capable of delivering big hits on arrival as well. If Dallas is going to wait this long to take a linebacker, they’ll already be taking the risk that Demarvion Overshown is going to have to stay healthy and be a high-end starter all season, and in that case Trotter is a fun player to project alongside Overshown.

Finally, predict one prospect on Day 3 that Dallas will draft?

**Mike:**A Day 3 prediction I’m really hoping for is cornerback Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin. He’s a massive sleeper in this draft and the traits pop even against smaller-school competition. He has legitimate length, loose hips for a bigger corner, and the kind of recovery burst that lets the defense play aggressive at the line without dying on double moves. He also tackles like he wants to stay on the field, which matters for a Cowboys defense that’s been too leaky on the perimeter and with tackling last year. On Day 3 it’s about hunting upside and role clarity, Demmings gives Dallas both a boundary-development prospect and can contribute early on special teams. And the cherry on top, Demmings was a Dallas-Day visitor, so the interest is real.

Howman: Virginia RB J’Mari Taylor, or as I like to call him, Baby Javonte. The Cowboys locked up Williams for three more years, but the deal can end after two years if Williams can’t repeat his career year. Taylor has such a similar style to Williams that it makes sense to take a Day 3 flyer on him, let him grow behind Williams, and eventually succeed him in that bell-cow role.

Brian: I was going to go with Baylor TE Michael Trigg, but I thought that was too easy. Instead, I’m going to go with the ultimate flier, Louisiana-Lafayette LB Jaden Dugger. At 6’4”, 245-pounds with 35” arms, he’s a safety turned linebacker and has experience playing WILL, MLB, and has also rushed off the edge. I’m really intrigued with his physical/athletic traits and the versatility he could potentially add to the Cowboys defense.

Sean: There’s been a lot of love for Auburn defensive linemen here, from Keldric Faulk to Keyron Crawford, so how about I keep that going with Bobby Jamison-Travis? The Cowboys have made it clear that defensive tackle is yet another position that their new staff has a certain prototype for, and trading away Solomon Thomas and Osa Odighizuwa was the first part of showing who didn’tfit the mold. With only FA acquisition Otito Ogbonnio as a clear cut example of the size Dallas is now searching for on the interior, more size and strength at tackle can be found in the draft. Jamison-Travis has been playing college football since 2020-21 at Iowa Western Community College, and turned into a 12 game starter at Auburn by 2025.The 328-pound defender can hold the line of scrimmage and make tackles at the point of attack, both things the Cowboys will need to overhaul the defense.