Examining Dane Brugler’s ‘The Beast’ as it relates to the Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft

Christmas comes early. Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently released “The Beast”, the most extensive and in-depth 2026 NFL Draft guide available. It’s an essential tool for those who want to learn as much as possible about this year’s prospects and where they most likely get selected when the draft gets underway on April 23, now just a little over a week away.

For Dallas Cowboys fans, “The Beast” gives us a better idea of potential prospects the Cowboys could target and where each of their draft picks this year rank. Dane Brugler’s rankings will vary from Dallas’ to some of degree, but it’s probably safe to assume they’ll both be pretty similar. With that in mind, below are some of the takeaways as it relates to the Cowboys 2026 draft this year.

First-round grades

According to Dane Brugler, only 14 players have a first-round grade for him this year in the 2026 draft class. That seems to be pretty close to the consensus conclusion for many scouts and personnel people around the league, emphasizing the lack of top-level talent available this year.

Brugler also assigned an additional 23 players with a 1st/2nd-round grade, bringing the total to 37 players who could potentially be drafted in the first round. Currently holding No. 12 and No. 20 in the first-round is reason to believe the Cowboys get a couple of players from this group, barring any trades of course.

Cowboys targets at No. 12 and No. 20

Barring a trade up or down, staying put at both No. 12 and No. 20 wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. With the 12th overall pick several of the 14 players Brugler graded as first-rounders should still be available for Dallas. And although it seems unlikely, some may even slide to them at No. 20. With the 20th overall pick though the Cowboys will probably be targeting one of the 23 players with 1st/2nd-round grades.

Here are his 1st-rounders.

1. Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
3. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
4. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
5. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
6. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
7. Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
8. OT Spencer Fano, Utah
9. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
10. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
11. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
12. G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
13. WR Makai Lemon, USC
14. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Top 100

The Cowboys currently holds three picks in the Top 100 (12, 20, 92). About the only position we can safely rule out for them in the first three rounds is quarterback. Dak Prescott is in question QB1 with Joe Milton and Sam Howell competing to be his primary backup. Every other position could be in play to some degree. Let’s take a look at potential targets by position according to “The Beast”.

Running Back

At this point a year ago there were concerns about Javonte Williams, but he proved to be more than capable of handling the RB1 workload. With him re-signed and Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah as backups, it seems unlikely Dallas would draft a RB in the Top 100. That’s especially true considering the weak draft class.

Brugler only has a total of three RBs ranked in his Top 100, headlined by Jeremiah Love (2), who will likely be off the board by the time the Cowboys on the clock and No. 12.

Wide Receiver

With George Pickens back under the franchise tag with CeeDee Lamb as arguably the best WR duo in the league, and with Ryan Flournoy backing them up, the Cowboys seem unlikely to target the position in the Top 100. It can’t be completely ruled out though considering it’s a deep draft class and the fact they’ve met with a few of the top WR prospects.

“The Beast” has a total of 18 WRs ranked in the Top 100. The Cowboys might not have much interest early unless one of the top prospects slides down. More interest may be later at pick at No. 92 where Brugler has Zachariah Branch, Brehen Thompson, Bryce Lance, Chris Brazzell II, and Deion Burks in a range that could make sense.

Tight End

Although the Cowboys look to be in good shape at TE right now, we can’t completely roll them out addressing into position this year with both Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker entering the final year of their contracts. This is a deep TE draft class and the Cowboys could take advantage of that.

Brugler has a total of five TEs in his Top 100 rankings, but Dallas would likely wait until later considering how deep the TE class is this year.

Offensive Line

The Cowboys look to be in pretty good shape both from a starting standpoint and a backup one along the offensive line right now. It seems pretty unlikely they use another draft pick in the Top 100 this year in an attempt to upgrade things, however, it can’t be completely ruled out either.

There are a total of 18 offensive lineman in Brugler’s Top 100 rankings. There are 10 tackles, six guards, and two centers. However, several of those players have the versatility to play different positions across the OL. Whether it’s OT or iOL there are several options available for the Cowboys if they so choose.

Edge

Even after trading for Rashan Gary as well as bringing back Sam Williams and Tyrus Wheat, Edge is still a roster “need” for the Cowboys heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. It would be a shock if Dallas didn’t use one of the three draft picks in the first three rounds to attempt to upgrade the position.

“The Beast” has a total of 16 Edge players in Brugler’s Top 100. He has three in the Top 10 with 1st-round grades, five with 1st/2nd-round grades, two with 2nd-round grades, three with 2nd/3rd-round grades, two with 3rd-round grades, and one with a 3rd/4th-round grade who could be in play for the Cowboys at 12, 20, 92.

Defensive Tackle

By trading for Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, signing Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard, as well as releasing both Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas the Cowboys have completely remade their defensive line from a season ago. And, despite all those moves, they may not be done upgrading the position.

According to Brugler the 2026 draft class isn’t very top-heavy or that deep this year. He has only seven DTs in his Top 100 in the first three rounds and only gave 24 others a draftable grade in this year’s draft class. That’s a total of 31 DTs the Cowboys could choose from if they’re trying to upgrade or add more depth to the position.

Linebacker

The biggest roster “need” for the Cowboys right now heading into the 2026 NFL Draft is without a doubt middle linebacker. It’s a position they’re expected to target early, definitely putting it in play for them at some point in the first three rounds in the Top 100 with picks 12, 20, or 92.

“The Beast” has a total of only eight linebackers in the Top 100 rankings. Sonny Styles (4), Jacob Rodriguez (40), CJ Allen (46), Jake Golday (48), Anthony Hill Jr. (50), Josiah Trotter (73), and Keyshaun Elliott (83). The Cowboys may need to get aggressive and possibly reach here to land the LB their targeting.

Cornerback

Dallas brought in Colbie Durant and Derion Kendrick via free agency to add depth to the CB position, but with injury concerns to DaRon Bland and Shavon’s unknown development, the Cowboys could be looking for further upgrades. This is a position they will likely target early, quite possibly with the 12th overall pick.

Brugler has 13 CBs in the Top 100. Cowboys 30 visits are filled with players in this top 100 including Mansoor Delane, Chris Johnson, Avieon Terrell, Colton Hood, Brandon Cisse, and Treydan Stukes.

Safety

In Malik Hooker, and with free agent additions of Jalen Thompson and PJ Locke, the Cowboys seem to have pretty good depth right now at the safety position. They do seem to be looking for someone to play that valuable nickel safety role in Christian Parker’s scheme, making this a position to keep an eye on in the Top 100.

Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman are favorites being mocked to Dallas in the first round, but “The Beast” has six other safeties in Brugler’s Top 100 they could be interested in. If they decide to target the position in the first three rounds they’ll likely have to do it at No. 12 or No. 20. The pickings are slim around No. 92.

You can get The Beast here with all the rankings and scouting reports of draft prospects.