Mock draft consensus identifies 3 Cowboys candidates for No. 12, 20

The Dallas Cowboys are firmly positioned to add two significant pieces with their two first-round draft picks next Thursday. Speculation as to who they are targeting is starting to take shape with many of the same prospects going to Dallas in mock draft after mock draft across the nation.

With significant needs at safety, cornerback, linebacker and edge, the Cowboys have no shortage of prospects looking them in the face. SFdata9ers recently ran an aggregate of 73 different mock drafts and found there weren't many surprises for the Cowboys. Despite all their needs, most mock drafts are focusing on one particular area for Dallas at Pick 12, and that’s their defensive secondary.

Pick 20 is more fluid in it’s prediction with consensus boards floating between edge and linebacker. Edge would satisfy the needs at defensive end and outside linebacker, while linebacker would address their specific second-level needs on the inside.

Pick 12: Jermod McCoy (CB), Dillon Thieneman (S), Caleb Downs (S)

Aggregating 73 of the latest mock drafts, Jermod McCoy has become the sudden favorite for Dallas at 12. After wowing at his Pro Day and earning an official visit to Dallas, McCoy presents solid value, provided his knee checks out.

Dillon Thieneman has widely been considered the No. 2 safety in the 2026 NFL draft class most of the offseason. His ability to play single high and in the nickel make him a moveable piece with exceptional range. 12 might be seen as early to most, but then again so was Tyler Booker last year.

Caleb Downs, a fan favorite for much of the offseason, is another do-it-all safety capable of playing inside and leading a unit. He’s hands-down the best safety prospect in the class and someone who’s heavily praised for his intelligence and leadership ability.

Pick 20: Akheem Mesidor (DE), C.J. Allen (LB), Keldric Faulk (DE)

Akheem Mesidor has been picking up steam in the draft cycle. The Miami defensive end is older than most and comes with injury questions but his film in 2025 is strong and he’s a pass rusher who can hit the ground running as a rookie.

C.J. Allen hasn’t enjoyed the same trajectory this spring. The Georgia linebacker fills a significant need for the Cowboys in the middle but might be capped in athletic ability and comes with major questions in coverage. With comparable linebackers expected to go one, maybe two, round(s) after this spot, picking Allen here would be curious.

If Allen ruffles feathers, talk of Keldric Faulk is sure to sink ships. Loved by NFL scouts (allegedly) and often despised by social media scouts, Faulk is a prospect of projection. Blessed with size and traits but without stats, Faulk would fit in Dallas as a base end in nickel and a defensive end in a 3-4. He’s not a proven pass rusher which understandably sours Cowboys fans.

Conclusion

Mock drafts seem to have a solid grasp on Dallas’ needs. The Cowboys have devoted many resources to scout defensive players, and the league has taken notice. There’s a strong chance Dallas moves around given all the second-round prospects who have been invited for visits, so all of this could be moot by the time the Cowboys pick.

As things look today, Downs and Mesidor look like ideal options at 12 and 20, but it will take cooperation from the rest of the league to allow it to happen.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Defensive backs dominate mock draft for Cowboys' pick at No. 12