Final 7-round mock features a first-round trade for the Cowboys

2. Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/ED, Ohio State

3. Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (potential trade spot)

4. Titans – David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech (potential trade spot)

5. Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6. Browns – Spencer Fano, OL, Utah (potential trade spot)

7. Commanders – Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame (potential trade spot)

8. Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

9. Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

10. Giants – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

11. Dolphins – Rueben Bain Jr., ED, Miami

12. Dallas Cowboys

The Pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

There has been a lot of discussion over the last few weeks about the Cowboys making a move up into the top 10 to land their defender of choice. While it is still a possibility, that decision will likely not come until the Cleveland Browns are on the clock at six. The Cowboys have been rumored to be high on David Bailey, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, and Caleb Downs so far this offseason. With Bailey, Styles, and Reese expected to go inside the top five, measuring a trade up with Cleveland, New Orleans, or Kansas City is far more likely than Arizona or Tennessee. The Cowboys put out a historically bad defense in 2025 and their lack of football IQ in Matt Eberflus’ scheme was littered throughout the tape, and Caleb Downs is one of the smartest and technically sound backend defenders we have seen in quite some time. There’s a loud discussion about Downs not making it to the 12th overall pick, but if the Giants elect to go Styles at 5 (which is a high possibility), there are only a few landmines to avoid (Kansas City and New York again) in order for him to make it to 12. One of Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr., Sonny Styles, or Mansoor Delane will likely be available when the Cowboys are on the clock. That is likely giving them some hesitation to move up if the price is astronomical.

13. Rams – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

15. Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, ED, Auburn

16. Jets – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana (potential trade spot)

17. Lions – Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia

18. Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

19. Panthers – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

TRADE (KC trades 29 & 74 for 20)

20. Chiefs – K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&)

21. Steelers – Olaiavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State

22. Chargers – Kadyn Proctor, iOL/OT, Alabama

23. Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

24. Browns – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

25. Bears – Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

26.Bills – Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami

27. 49ers – Blake Miller, OL, Clemson

28. Texans – Chase Bisontis, iOL, Texas A&M (potential trade spot)

29. Dallas Cowboys

The Pick: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Jacob Rodriguez to the Cowboys connection has been talked about a lot this draft season. Given his successful career at Texas Tech and the production he put out the last few seasons, the Cowboys address their biggest need remaining in a trade back with Kansas City. Rodriguez immediately slides into the starting rotation at inside linebacker and gives the Cowboys a smart, fast, and physical presence in the middle of their defense, that was desperately needed on that side of the ball in 2025.

30. Dolphins – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (potential trade spot)

31. Patriots – Caleb Lomu, OL, Utah

32. Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

With the first round wrapped up, we will not focus solely on the Cowboys selections.

Round 3, 74th Overall

The Pick: Romello Height, ED, Texas Tech

With the Cowboys addressing their defensive back and linebacker room with their two first round picks, they can now turn their focus to addressing their pass rush. As rough as shape as their linebacker room is in, their pass rush room is not much better. Romello Height is an undersized rusher that will be relied on more as a rusher than a run defender early in his career. Height had a tremendous season at Texas Tech in 2025, which put him on the map as a potential top 75 player. Height posted an impressive 21.8% pass-rush-win-rate in 2025, and his explosive get off, tenacity, and pass rush arsenal could be well used in Dallas, as they are currently lacking a consistent pressure player on the edge with Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler expected to play elsewhere in 2026. Height was a 30 visit for the Cowboys, and despite his lack of size, fits the Cowboys arm length threshold for an edge defender.

Round 3, 94th Overall

The Pick: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

With Caleb Downs expected to take on a heavy nickel workload, the Cowboys could still stand to add quality depth to their cornerback room with the future of DaRon Bland now in question. Malik Muhammad is a smaller build defensive back, but his ability to play in a variety of schemes, inside-and-out, and his instincts in coverage make him an ideal mid-round fit for the Cowboys in Christian Parker’s defense. Muhammad has been heavily linked to the Cowboys this offseason and his fit with Parker given his length and high football IQ would be a home run selection late on day two, filling a big need for the Cowboys.

Round 4, 112th Overall

The Pick: Kaleb Proctor, DL, South Eastern Louisiana

After moving on from Osa Odighizuwa, the Cowboys could use some beef up front on the defensive line. Despite playing at a small school, Proctor put out some of the better interior defensive line tape in 2025. Proctor is more of a traditional three-technique, but the Cowboys will likely still likely play a ton of nickel in 2026 under Parker. Proctor will see a major uptick in competition in the NFL, but his testing, get-off, and physical traits as a pass rusher are worth the gamble on day three to replace a quality player in Osa Odighizuwa and provide depth along the defensive line behind Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Jonathan Bullard.

Round 5, 152nd Overall

The Pick: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M

The Cowboys have invested a ton of draft capitol in their offensive line over the last few years, but with Tyler Guyton still yet to show signs of taking the next step, and Terence Steele’s continued struggles in pass protection, adding another young, developmental right tackle to the room would be wise. Dametrious Crownover is a massive human being listed at over 6-foot-7, 315-lbs. He has 35 3/8” arms and is a quality athlete for a tackle of his size. Crownover is more of a traits pick than a step in and ready to play pick, but his elite traits are worth developing for an offensive line that could be looking for two new starting tackles in the foreseeable future.

Round 5, 177th Overall

The Pick: Harold Perkins, LB/EDGE, LSU

LSU’s Harold Perkins has been one of the more polarizing prospects this draft season. Just a few years ago, Perkins looked to be like a future first-round pick, but his dip in production and lack of development led to more questions than answers. Perkins is an undersized full-time edge rusher, but his lack of instincts and dip in production when moved to linebacker makes him a tough evaluation. Perkins could be used as a Swiss army knife in Dallas, allowing him to split time as an off-the-ball linebacker and on the edge as a pass rusher on probable passing downs.

Round 5, 180th Overall

The Pick: J’Mari Taylor, RB, UVA

Dallas does not have a pressing need at running back with Javonte Williams re-signed and Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis under contract, but after his rookie season, the coaching staff seems to have trust issues with Blue and he’s the only threat the Cowboys currently have in their running back room as a receiver. Taylor is a three-down back, with the ability to win as a runner, receiver, and blocker in the NFL. If the Cowboys still have questions about Blue’s ability, Taylor would be a nice addition to the running back room that has a real shot of playing meaningful snaps early on, on offense and special teams.

Round 7, 218th Overall

The Pick: Rene Konga, DL, Louisville

Louisville’s Rene Konga popped up early in the process as a surprise 30 visit for the Cowboys, and since his stock has begun to sore after testing like a freak athlete at his pro day. Konga is another later round, developmental defensive lineman that could battle for a roster spot in year one and potentially look to take over for Kenny Clark when that time comes. Konga posted a 9.78 relative athletic score from his pro day testing and has the physical traits to pair with his insane athletic upside.