Cowboys news: The ‘win-now, veteran trades’ mock draft

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is lifted up by his teammates after breaking the single-season sack record during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

All Trades! ‘Win now’ Cowboys retool with Garrett, vets in 7-rd mock draft – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire

A different take on a mock draft.

If the Cowboys were truly in win-now mode, they’d be able to acquire impact veterans on the trade market.

Using outside trade compensations, we acquired four veteran defenders to help Christian Parker’s new defense.

Trade 1.12, 1.20, 2027 3rd to Cleveland for Edge Myles Garrett

Trade 3.92, 2027 6th to Miami for LB Jordyn Brooks

Trade 4.114, 5.180 to Baltimore for CB Marlon Humphrey

Trade 5.152 to Indianapolis for CB Kenny Moore

5.177 select LSU LB/Edge Harold Perkins

7.212 select Arkansas QB Taylen Green

What does “win now” actually look like, in it’s purest form? NFL fans scoffed at the way the Los Angeles Rams and their GM Les Snead disregarded their draft picks year after year after year, claiming that once the championship window closed on them, they’d be in purgatory for years to come. Yet, thanks to the elite coaching of Sean McVay, Snead and the Rams were able to quickly bounce back and return to the championship picture.

After winning it all in 2021, the Rams spent all of one year in roster hell, going 5-12 in 2022, and they’ve climbed back up the ladder to contention each year since. In 2023 they lost in the wild-card round. In 2024 they lost in the divisional round. 2025 saw them fall in the conference championship. Dallas Cowboys fans must be jealous. As a team that follows the trend instead of sets it, what if Jerry Jones and company adopted the Rams’ strategy and expanded on their recent trade-ful ways and sent almost all of their picks away to bring back veterans?

Cowboys insider delivers harsh Luke Schoonmaker reality fans already believe – Jared A’Latorre, The Landry Hat

Luke Schoonmaker remains a big question mark heading into 2026.

That sentiment was echoed by Cowboys insider Bobby Belt on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas when discussing Schoonmaker’s ceiling. The coaching staff appears to be high on him, particularly tight ends coach Lunda Wells and even Brian Schottenheimer, but Belt isn’t buying it.

“Schotty, a couple of weeks ago, said something to the effect of, they need to look like Luke Schoonmaker. Come in prepared to work, and then took a step up. I was talking to somebody the other day, and they were like, yeah, they really feel like Luke Schoonmaker’s progressed, and I’m like, what is this brainwashing you all are trying to do?”

Belt has sources as an insider, but if someone close to the Cowboys believes Schoonmaker “progressed” last season, it’s head-scratching, to say the least. It may simply be posturing, aimed at avoiding negative commentary about the player.

The former second-round pick out of Michigan hasn’t panned out like fans hoped. Last season, Brevyn Spann-Ford supplanted Schoonmaker on the depth chart, making a bigger impact as both a blocker and receiver. If that continues, Schoonmaker’s spot is in serious jeopardy.

2026 NFL Draft Big Board: Prospects 11-20- Cody Warren, Inside The Star

Dallas may have a couple chances at drafting several of these names.

12. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I love a smart, athletic safety and Dillon Thieneman is one of those guys. He sees the game faster than other players and his college resume shows this attribute.

In 2025, he finished with 44 solo tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defended at Oregon, and his earlier college stats showed even more ball production.

Player comp:Jessie Bates

I’ve seen Dillon Thieneman play with range and instincts. He’s not stuck in one role as he can play deep, rotate, and work in multiple safety alignments, which is why the Bates comparison makes sense.

13. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Players like Spencer Fano make it easy for people like me to give a fan first evaluation.

He profiles as a clean offensive tackle draft prospect, and the numbers back it up. PFF graded him at 83.9 overall in 2025, with an 81.5 pass-blocking grade and a 79.9 run-blocking grade. Those grades don’t do him justice as he gave up 0 sacks and 0 hits allowed in 2025.

**Player comp:**Tristan Wirfs-lite

I think this comp works because Spencer Fano tested like a rare athlete for the position. He had the top overall score among tackles, finishing first in the three-cone, and running one of the fastest 40 times in the tackle group.

Emmitt Smith has message for George Pickens amid Cowboys contract standoff- Mike Moraitis, Sports Illustrated

Smith wants to see Pickens wear the star in 2026.

Smith spoke with Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News and offered up some advice for Pickens. Instead of possibly holding out or asking for a trade, Smith encouraged Pickens to play the year out on the tag.

“Take the one-year deal,” Smith said after Hoyt revealed to him the $27 million price tag of Pickens’ current pact.

Smith went on to basically say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. The Hall of Famer thinks Pickens’ best chance to produce at a high level and be happy is in Dallas.

“And I’m telling you George: you’re not going to go to too many places that’s going to be like Dallas, or Texas,” Smith said. “You can go to Florida somewhere: who down in Florida is going to throw you the football?”

“You’re better at The Star. Look at The Star, see the facilities that we have, look at what you have the opportunity to build here,” Smith said. “Come on. Think about life beyond the game.”

Daily Discussion Question: Do you think the Cowboys will do anything else before the draft?