When it comes to the unpredictability of NFL offseasons, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are always a wild card. As we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys have a few options on the table.
They could use their first two picks to bring in young talent, but it’s clear they need significant help on defense. A future Hall of Fame pass rusher could be the game-changer they need.
Former Super Bowl champion and Fox Sports analyst Willie Colon stirred the pot recently by suggesting that the Cowboys should make a bold move for Myles Garrett. Garrett, who just shattered the NFL's single-season sack record with 23 sacks for the Cleveland Browns, could be the missing piece for Dallas.
Colon didn't mince words: "If I'm the Cowboys, you sell your soul, and you go get Myles Garrett. You figure out how you can trade for him. Put him on this defensive line, and the Cowboys are legit a playoff team."
The idea of pairing Garrett with the likes of Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa is tantalizing. Such a lineup could transform the Cowboys' defense into an unstoppable force. But, as always, there's a catch: the salary cap.
Dallas is projected to be $30 million over the cap, but the front office has the flexibility to clear up to $90 million with some strategic restructures. If Jones is willing to stretch the budget for a player of Garrett's caliber, it’s within reach.
A trade package could include the Cowboys' two 2026 first-round picks, a 2027 selection, and a current player. This move would not only bolster the defense but also help the team move on from several defenders they might part ways with anyway.
While Cowboys fans still feel the absence of Micah Parsons, whose relationship with the organization was rocky, a move for Garrett could provide a fresh start and a new direction for the franchise.
Though Maxx Crosby has been a popular name in Cowboys rumors, the prospect of Garrett returning to Texas to pursue a Super Bowl is even more enticing. If Jerry Jones is ready to make a splash, this could be the move that defines the Cowboys' future.