The Dallas Cowboys are expected to use a majority of their 2026 draft picks on defense as they rebuild the worst unit in the NFL. But what is the best way for the Cowboys to get back to an acceptable level on defense? Is it by addressing the pass rush and then the secondary? What about the linebacker corps that is expected to lose Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, and Logan Wilson?
In this mock draft, the Cowboys use their picks to address the defensive line and then the secondary, hoping that DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, and Shemar James can take a step forward in 2026 and solve the linebacker room. So without further ado, here is our 2026 mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys:
2026 7-round mock draft for Dallas Cowboys
Pick No. 12: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cowboys could go in a number of directions with the No. 12 pick, and in this mock draft, both Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles were picked inside the top-10. As were Caleb Downs and Jeremyiah Love, which allowed Bailey to slip to pick No. 12.
Bailey isn’t the most bendy pass rusher in the league, but he’s super productive (19.5 tackles for loss in 14 games), and he’s been productive in four-straight seasons. Pairing Bailey with Donovan Ezeiruaku and the rest of the defensive tackles would give the Cowboys a dominating defensive line to build around moving forward.
Pick No. 20: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
There is no doubt that Delane is one of the top-15 players in this class, but he falls to No. 20 due to less-than-desirable measurables. It’s fair to wonder if Will McClay and the rest of the front office would draft a shorter-arm cornerback in Round 1, but Delane is too talented a player to pass up here.
With Daron Bland, Shavon Revel, and Mansoor Delane, the Cowboys would have their three starting cornerbacks going into the 2026 season. Delane and Bland can both play in the slot, which would give the new defensive coordinator plenty of options on the back end.
Pick No. 112: Austin Barber, OT, Florida
The Cowboys could move on from Terence Steele this offseason and that means they could use more depth on the offensive line. Barber is a massive tackle who is a three-year starter for the Gators at left tackle. He needs a lot of work as a pass blocker, but he is a dominating run blocker who could be a swing tackle in the NFL sooner rather than later.
Pick No. 150: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
Dallas needs more safety help and there are very few defenders in this class who have been as productive as Fitzgerald over the last few seasons. He’ll have a chance to raise his stock at the Senior Bowl, which could allow him to sneak into the top-125 picks.
Pick No. 177: Lake McRee, TE, USC
Luke Schoonmaker didn’t show much improvement in 2025 and is set to enter a contract season for the Cowboys. McRee isn’t much of a blocker, but he is a much better mover and a far superior athlete. He might need a year to grow into his body and add some bulk, but he could be a long-term option at tight end if the Cowboys eventually want to move on from Jake Ferguson.
Pick No. 215: CJ Donaldson, RB, Ohio State
The Cowboys spent a late-round pick on Phil Mafah last season, but he didn’t see the field until Week 18. Mafah dealt with a shoulder injury all season and it’s far to wonder what the long-term outlook is for him with the Cowboys.
Donaldson is a former tight end who converted to running back at West Virginia before transferring to Ohio State. He scored 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes and 40 for his career. He also has 47 career receptions and might be a better fit for the No. 3 back in Dallas than Mafah.
Pick No. 211: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Payton was a one-year starter at NDSU, but he was phenomenal in limited action. He averaged a whopping 12 yards per attempt and is arguably the best deep passer in the class. He needs a lot of development and could greatly benefit from a year or two on the practice squad, but there is talent worth gambling on in this stage of the draft.
Pick No. 225: Eric O’Neil, EDGE Rutgers
O’Neil has bounced around from school to school, but he was incredibly productive over the last two seasons. At James Madison and Rutgers (2024-2025), O’Neil racked up 28 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks. He has added some weight in recent seasons and projects as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL. The testing numbers will be important for him, but he should be drafted sometime on Day 3.
