After months of chatter, mocks and discussion, the 2026 NFL draft has arrived. For the Dallas Cowboys, the need to nail this draft and find reinforcements for the defense cannot come soon enough.
It was another lackluster free agency period for the team, who did reel in one big fish in safety Jalen Thompson, and the trade for Rashan Gary helped the defensive end position, but the Cowboys need more help. Jerry Jones and company still didn’t do enough after promising to break the bank, and they will look to the draft to fill the holes, many of which remain from when the offseason began.
Here are the biggest needs for the Cowboys entering the 2026 NFL draft.
Edge rusher
There’s a reason the Cowboys have been rumored to want to trade up in the draft, possibly into the top 5, and it’s not for a linebacker or safety, but one of the top edge rushers. The team lacks an explosive pass rusher after not re-signing last year’s top sack guy, Jadeveon Clowney.
The best of what’s left is Gary, second-year man Donovan Ezeiruaku, the underwhelming Sam Williams and veteran James Houston, who had the most sacks of any returning player on the defense, with 5.5 last season.
Currently, the two best pass rushers on the defense are Gary, who had 7.5 sacks with Green Bay but none in the last 10 games and Ezeiruaku, who showed promise but totaled just two sacks as a rookie. The latter also had offseason hip surgery and likely won’t be ready to practice until training camp.
That’s not good enough, the Cowboys need more help at edge rusher.
Linebacker
This is a position where the defense just doesn’t have many options, or good enough players. Christian Parker’s scheme is versatile enough that Gary and Ezeiruaku will play some outside LB, but the bigger issue is in the middle, where the Cowboys have just one viable option in DeMarvion Overshown.
Second-year man Shemar James is in the mix as well, but he feels better suited as a backup LB, and the same for Justin Barron, who signed as an undrafted free agent last year. There isn’t much more help, or depth, at the position.
As good as Overshown has played when healthy, his injury history leaves questions and the draft needs to bring answers. The team is desperate for help at LB and finding someone to pair with Overshown would be ideal.
Cornerback
This is a place where the Cowboys have thrown resources at this offseason, but none are long-term answers. The projected starters are DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel, with Cobie Durant in the mix there as well, and Caelen Carson and Reddy Steward fighting to be the nickel corners.
Others in consideration are Derion Kendrick, Josh Butler and Corey Ballentine. Of the CB group, only Bland, Revel and Carson are signed past this season.
For the 2026 season, it’s a position that has promise, but injuries make it a question mark. The two penciled in starters have health concerns. Bland had his second foot surgery in two years this offseason, while Revel is further away from his torn ACL and should be healthier.
Durant brings depth and stability, only missing three games in the last three seasons.
There’s also the question of skill. Bland is considered the top CB in Dallas but struggled last season under disposed-of DC Matt Eberflus, and Revel didn’t get enough experience as a rookie and still has a bit of a learning curve. No one else on the depth chart feels like a top player at the position.
Parker may need to find a high-quality prospect to help the defense at CB.
Safety
Yet another defensive spot where the Cowboys have their starters, but they could use an upgrade in quality. The team’s big offseason signing was Thompson, who they’ll pair with Malik Hooker as the starting safeties, but Hooker’s play declined last year, similar to Bland.
The defense should be looking to find a better player to line up with Thompson. Hooker looks like he’s on the downside of his career and might not be a great fit for Parker’s scheme. However, the veteran is a perfect third safety going forward, which means the Cowboys need to find another starting caliber safety in the draft.
A versatile, athletic prospect would be ideal, which is why Ohio St. safety Caleb Downs continues to be mentioned in connection with the Cowboys.
The team does have some depth at the position with free agent addition P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark. Adding a top prospect would help everything fall into place at safety.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 4 top needs for Cowboys in 2026 NFL Draft point team in direction
Reporting by Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
