The Dallas Cowboys are staring at a rough setup heading into Week 9, and it could leave them with a frustrating draft spot next spring.
Dallas has dropped three of its last four games entering its Week 9 meeting with the Indianapolis Colts, and the bigger issue is how that skid is shaping the 2027 NFL Draft order. The Cowboys own the Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick from last season’s Micah Parsons trade, while their own highest first-round selection is headed to the New York Jets because of the Quinnen Williams deal at last year’s trade deadline.
That means Dallas’ own pick, which is currently sitting as a top-10 selection thanks to the team’s 3-5 start, would not be the one it actually uses. Instead, the Cowboys would be on the clock with the No. 20 overall pick.
It’s not a useless spot, and Dallas has had some success picking in the 20s this year. But for a roster that still needs elite talent, it’s a tricky place to be. The Cowboys need help on defense, and if the Packers keep winning, Dallas could miss out on a premium prospect at a position of need.
There will still be useful players available when the Cowboys make their pick next spring. Even so, the Packers’ results are making the job tougher for Dallas on the talent-evaluation front.
Next year’s NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, through Saturday, May 1, at the National Mall outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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Cowboys Still Waiting On Two Crucial Calls Before Colts Game
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Pickens situation carries extra weight because of the injury concern and the constant buzz around his future, while Porters availability also looms large for a defense trying to keep pace. Dallas still has time to sort out the final call, but until those decisions come in, the matchup in Indianapolis is already carrying a little more uncertainty than the Cowboys would prefer. [Read more 🡒]