Cowboys' Top 5 prospects at each position in the 2026 NFL Draft

1 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The top pick in the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza, has some limited traits, but does everything a team wants from a quarterback at a high level.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 QBs for the Cowboys.

Running Back

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.

5 Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Emmett Johnson is a big-play, duel-threat back who is just entering his prime.

4 Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Kaytron Allen is a power back with excellent vision who gets yards before contact and then finishes runs well.

3 Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

Mike Washington Jr. had a perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS), but can also run with power, and is a good receiving threat.

2 Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

Jadarian Price plays behind the best rusher in the draft, Jeremiyah Love, or he would be in the top spot due to his instincts and ability to find cut-back runs inside or out.

1 Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

The top running back in the class, Love, doesn't have a weakness in his game and will be a workhorse back in the NFL.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 RBs for the Cowboys.

Wide Receiver

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a catch for a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

5 KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

KC Concepcion is a machine from the slot with his releases and ability to find holes in zone coverages.

4 Denzel Boston, Washington

Denzel Boston will be an immediate redzone weapon at a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame.

3 Makai Lemon, USC

Makai Lemon doesn't have elite traits, but wins with the mental game and ability to create separation with his route running.

2 Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson would be a lock top 10 selection if injuries didn't hamper him. All the talent a receiver could ask for, if he can stay healthy.

1 Carnell Tate, Ohio State

If a team wants a George Pickens clone, Carnell Tate could be their man. He isn't reliant on big plays, but he has an unbelievable catch radius and tracking ability on deep passes.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 WRs for the Cowboys.

Tight End

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

5 Justin Joly, NC State

Justin Joly has a mind for the game and how to get open, which he uses to overcome physical limitations at the position.

4 Max Klare, Ohio State

Max Klare is a versatile tight end who can play in the slot and survive inside as an in-line option.

3 Michael Trigg, Baylor

Michael Trigg has the traits a team dreams of with rare length and athleticism for the position.

2 Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Eli Stowers is a former quarterback who has only recently transitioned to tight end. He had an elite RAS and might have the best hands in the draft; he catches everything.

1 Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Kenyon Sadiq is the game-changer at the position in this draft. An incredible receiving asset who can adequately block, too.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 TEs for the Cowboys.

Offensive Tackle

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

5 Caleb Lomu, Utah

Pro-ready hand usage and anchor, but still has a lot of developing to do.

4 Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Monroe Freeling is a fast-rising left tackle prospect due to his frame, length, and athleticism.

3 Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Max Iheanachor is new to football, but with development could end up the best lineman from this class. He has a great mix of athletic traits and power that should translate to the next level.

2 Kadyn Proctor, Ohio State

Kadyn Proctor is a giant powerhouse who has better movement skills than anyone his size should have. A powerhouse prospect who has left tackle athleticism.

1 Francis Mauignoa, Miami(FL)

Francis Mauigoa could be the best offensive tackle or guard in this class, depending on where the team that drafts him wants to develop him.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 OTs for the Cowboys.

Interior Offensive Line

Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona.

5 Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Chase Bisontis is an excellent run blocker who had his most significant improvements in pass protection after moving from tackle to guard in 2025.

4 Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Gennings Dunker isn't an athletic freak, but will move bodies inside with his incredible power game.

3 Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Emmanuel Pregnon is a traits-filled prospect with a high IQ who needs to improve his quickness off the snap.

2 Spencer Fano, Utah

Spencer Fano is a top-10 offensive tackle prospect who is likely to move inside to limit his power issues at the position, such as anchor.

1 Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Olaivavega Ioane isn't a special athlete, but his mental game and power make him a top offensive line prospect in the class.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 iOL for the Cowboys.

Edge Rusher

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

5 Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Cashius Howell is a speed rusher with an excellent bag of pass-rush moves to attack blockers.

4 Malachi Lawrence, UCF

Malachi Lawrence uses his length to win as a pass rusher with an array of moves and counters.

3 Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami(FL)

Ahkeem Mesidor might be the best pass rusher in the draft, but his age and injury history could knock him down the board.

2 Rueben Bain Jr., Miami(FL)

Rueben Bain Jr. has an excellent mix of bend and power that makes him a monster to block, even with historically short arms for a first-round pick.

1 David Bailey, Texas Tech

David Bailey is the most complete edge in the class with a great frame, length, get-off, and adequate bend.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 Edge Rushers for the Cowboys.

Defensive Tackle

Texas Tech's Lee Hunter eyes the Arkansas-Pine Bluff offense during a non-conference football game, Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

5 Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

Darrell Jackson Jr. is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds with a 72-inch wingspan. He is a nose tackle who is hard to move, even when double-teamed.

4 Caleb Banks, Florida

Caleb Banks' talent is undeniable after he posted a perfect RAS at the combine. He is very raw and has a poor injury history that could cause him to fall.

3 Peter Woods, Clemson

Peter Woods was a top-10 pick last season, but everyone on the Clemson defense had a drop-off in 2026. If he returns to form, the team that drafts him could get a steal because Woods can play the run and rush the passer.

2 Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Kayden McDonald is the rare one-technique defensive tackle who brings production on his own instead of just helping open things up for others behind him.

1 Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

Lee Hunter is a one-technique who eats up double teams, but has excellent upside as a pass rusher. Could end up as the next game changer from the defensive tackle position.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 DTs for the Cowboys.

Linebacker

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) and linebacker Sonny Styles (0) celebrate in the second half at the Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

5 Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Anthony Hill Jr. is a versatile linebacker who can cover, pass rush, and play the run, but he must improve his instincts and processing time.

4 Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez is a production machine who doesn't just cover or make tackles, but turns those plays into turnovers.

3 CJ Allen, Georgia

The best instincts in the class, CJ Allen, is so fast at processing plays that he seems more athletic than his counterparts because he beats them to the ball so often.

2 Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Arvell Reese will need time to develop as a pass rusher, but he plays well enough at linebacker to be an impact starter day one until he's ready to be an edge.

1 Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Sonny Styles is a freakshow athlete who improved his instincts and tackling after transitioning from safety, and now should be a game changer at linebacker.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 LBs for the Cowboys.

Cornerback

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) before a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025.

5 Colton Hood, Tennessee

Colton Hood is a physical press-man cover corner who will stay on the outside and develop into a lockdown player with the right coaching.

4 Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Avieon Terrell plays much faster than his testing would show, but his real impact is his physical play inside at the nickel position.

3 Chris Johnson, Sandler Diego State

The best movement skills at the position, Chris Johnson could develop into a lockdown corner who could follow the best receiver all around the field.

2 Mansoor Delane, LSU

Mansoor Delane is the most complete corner in the class. He doesn't have a drop off in man or zone and can play at any corner spot on the field.

1 Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Jermod McCoy has injury concerns that are likely to cause him to slide way down the board, but he has the best tape in the class; If he can get back to 2024 form when healthy

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 CBs for the Cowboys.

Safety

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14.

5 Kamari Ramsey, USC

Kamari Ramsey is excellent at all three levels in zone and an impact run defender who just needs to improve his man coverage.

4 Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

Zakee Wheatley is an old-school, rangy free safety prospect who secures the back end of a defense, but needs development in the other areas of the game.

3 Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Dillon Thieneman is another free safety type, but has a better all-around game than Wheatley and is a top-end athlete at the position.

2 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is built in a lab to play the nickel role inside for a Christian Parker-type defense, but he also has good tape playing as a zone safety at all three levels.

1 Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft and plays the position with such a high IQ that he has no weaknesses. He can play multiple spots as a defensive back at the highest level.

For a more complete look at these draft prospects, check out the Top 5 Safeties for the Cowboys.

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter@cdpigletor on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' Top 5 prospects at each position in the 2026 NFL Draft