As the dust settles on another NFL season and the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves staring down a pivotal offseason. With the draft order locked and free agency still ahead, Dallas is in that in-between space-where speculation meets strategy, and roster-building decisions start to take shape.
One thing is clear: the Cowboys' 2025 campaign left plenty to be desired, especially on the defensive side of the ball. And if early mock drafts are any indication, the front office is laser-focused on fixing that. Whether it’s adding speed to the second level, stability to the secondary, or muscle up front, the consensus is that Dallas needs reinforcements-fast.
Let’s break down the names that keep surfacing in post-postseason mock drafts and what they could mean for a Cowboys team looking to reload and return to contention.
Styles at No. 12: The Modern Linebacker Dallas Needs
If there’s one name that keeps popping up in connection with the Cowboys’ No. 12 pick, it’s Styles-and for good reason. A former safety turned linebacker, Styles checks every box for today’s NFL: speed, coverage ability, and sideline-to-sideline range. He’s the kind of defender who can erase mistakes in real time and cover ground that most linebackers simply can’t.
For a Dallas defense that too often looked vulnerable in the middle of the field-giving up easy completions and struggling with communication-Styles would be a game-changer. He’s not just a thumper; he’s a coverage asset, a play-caller’s dream who allows the defense to stay aggressive without getting exposed.
It’s no surprise that multiple analysts, including Crean in his mock draft simulator, have Styles slotted to Dallas. He fits the mold of a “clean pick”-a player who plugs a glaring hole and raises the ceiling of the entire unit.
The Bold Move: Trading Up for J.J. Downs
Of course, this is Jerry Jones we’re talking about, and bold moves are always on the table. One scenario floated by CBS Sports involves Dallas trading up from No. 12 to No. 6 to grab J.J. Downs, a safety with the kind of versatility that can reshape a defense.
Downs is more than just a deep-field defender. He’s a chess piece-someone who can rotate late, disguise coverages, and play multiple roles without tipping the hand of the defense.
For a Cowboys secondary that’s still searching for consistency, Downs would be a foundational piece. But the price tag for moving up that high?
It’s steep. That kind of jump would likely cost Dallas multiple picks, and the front office would have to weigh one elite addition against the opportunity to address several needs.
Still, this is the kind of move that aligns with the Cowboys’ draft DNA: aggressive, headline-grabbing, and aimed at grabbing a difference-maker.
Hood at 12: Locking Down the Boundary
Another name gaining traction at No. 12 is Hood, a boundary corner who projects as a plug-and-play starter. The thinking here is straightforward: even the best pass rush won’t matter if the secondary can’t hold up its end of the bargain.
Hood brings length, physicality, and the kind of man-to-man ability that lets a defense get creative up front. He’s not just a safe pick-he’s a stabilizer. For a Dallas defense that too often played bend-don’t-break football, adding a true CB1 could allow the unit to take more risks and dictate tempo instead of reacting to it.
Double Dipping in Round One: Styles and Parker
In a two-round mock draft from Miller, the Cowboys make a statement by doubling down on defense in the first round-taking Styles at 12 and then Parker at 20. That’s a linebacker-edge rusher combo that screams “rebuild the front seven.”
Parker is a long, physical pass rusher who doesn’t just bring juice off the edge-he holds his own against the run. That’s huge for a Cowboys team that struggled to get off the field on early downs.
If you’re going to stop modern NFL offenses, you need guys who can win on first down and still get after the quarterback on third. Parker fits that bill.
Faulk and Howell: High-Ceiling Edge Options
Jeremiah’s mock draft takes a similar approach, using Dallas’ second first-rounder (via Green Bay) to grab Faulk, an edge rusher with all the tools but some development still ahead of him. He’s big, athletic, and disruptive-when he wants to be. The key will be unlocking that motor consistently.
That’s the kind of swing you take late in the first round. You’re not just drafting for today-you’re investing in a potential star who could anchor your defense for years, without having to pay top-dollar in free agency down the line.
Another name to watch is Howell, who shows up in several mocks as a possible pick at No. 20.
He’s a relentless pass rusher with a track record of production and a mean streak that shows up on tape. He’s the kind of player who makes offensive tackles uncomfortable before the ball is even snapped.
McDonald: The Unsexy Pick That Could Pay Off
Then there’s McDonald, who might not generate the same buzz as a flashy edge rusher or shutdown corner, but brings something Dallas desperately needs: interior strength. Too often last season, the Cowboys got bullied up front, especially on early downs. McDonald is a space-eater who can anchor the line and free up linebackers to make plays.
It’s not a pick that will light up social media, but it’s one that could quietly change the complexion of this defense. When teams can’t run at will, everything else starts to fall into place.
The Big Picture
Whether the Cowboys stay put at No. 12, trade up for a star, or double-dip with two first-round defenders, the message is clear: this draft is all about fixing the defense. After a season where the unit too often bent and eventually broke, Dallas is looking for answers-and they might just find them in April.
From versatile linebackers to high-upside edge rushers and lockdown corners, the Cowboys have options. Now it’s about making the right calls, because the margin for error in the NFC is razor-thin. And if Dallas wants to be more than just a playoff team next season, they’ll need this draft to be a turning point, not just a footnote.