The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a pivotal offseason with a rare bit of draft capital: two first-round picks, sitting at No. 12 and No. 20. And with Christian Parker freshly installed as the new defensive coordinator, the front office in Dallas is already laying the groundwork for what could be a defining stretch for the franchise.
Parker’s arrival signals a new defensive identity, and with the way last season’s unit struggled, reinforcements are more necessity than luxury. That’s where the draft becomes crucial-and with two Day 1 selections, the Cowboys are in a position to either double down on talent or get creative with the board.
Let’s break it down.
Two First-Round Picks, One Big Opportunity
The Cowboys don’t pick again until Round 4, which means they’ve got a front-loaded draft and a long wait after Day 1. That’s not exactly Jerry Jones’ style-he’s not one to sit on his hands while the rest of the league is making moves. That could make those first two picks even more valuable, not just for who they might select, but for what they could flip those picks into.
There’s already chatter about potential trade scenarios, and one of the more intriguing ones involves a familiar face: Mike McCarthy, now in Pittsburgh, and still unpacking boxes in his new office. McCarthy knows the Cowboys’ roster inside and out, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer knows McCarthy just as well. That kind of familiarity can grease the wheels for a mutually beneficial deal.
The Trade That Could Shake Things Up
One hypothetical floated has Dallas sending the No. 12 pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for the Steelers’ No. 21 pick and EDGE rusher Nick Herbig. On paper, that’s a classic “two-for-one” move-sliding down nine spots in the first round but picking up a young, ascending pass rusher in the process.
It’s the kind of trade that makes sense if the Cowboys feel confident in the depth of this draft class, particularly at positions of need. If they don’t have a can’t-miss guy circled at No. 12, moving down and adding a proven player like Herbig could be a win.
And let’s talk about Herbig for a second.
Why Nick Herbig Makes Sense
Still just 24 years old, Herbig is coming off a breakout 2025 season in Pittsburgh. He posted 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 15 games, including six starts.
Those numbers aren’t just filler stats-they came when he was asked to step up in the absence of T.J. Watt.
And he delivered.
Herbig was a fourth-round pick in 2023, but he’s already outplaying that billing. He’s shown the ability to win off the edge with quickness and leverage, and in a full-time role, he might be ready to take the next step. For a Dallas team that’s still trying to retool its pass rush after last year’s failed experiment with Micah Parsons’ role shift, Herbig could be a low-risk, high-upside addition.
Draft Strategy: Flexibility Is Key
Of course, all of this hinges on how the board falls. If a top-tier prospect-maybe a blue-chip defensive end-slides to No. 12, the Cowboys might be hard-pressed to pass him up. But if the top names are off the board early, trading down and staying in the first round could be the smarter play.
It’s worth remembering how things played out last year. Dallas was eyeing Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 12, but Carolina scooped him up at No.
- That led the Cowboys to pivot to guard Tyler Booker, filling another need.
A week later, they struck a deal with the Steelers involving George Pickens. It wasn’t the original plan, but it worked out.
That’s the nature of the draft. Flexibility wins.
What’s Next for Dallas?
With Parker now leading the defense, the Cowboys are expected to target impact defenders early. The edge rusher class has some talent, but there’s no guarantee those names will be there in the mid-first round. That’s why a move like the Herbig trade could be appealing-it gives Dallas a known commodity at a premium position, while still keeping them in the first-round mix with picks No. 20 and 21.
The Cowboys have options. They’ve got draft capital, a new defensive mind in Parker, and a front office that’s never been afraid to take a swing. Whether they stay put, trade down, or package picks for proven talent, this draft is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent memory for Dallas.
And with the NFC still wide open behind a few powerhouses, the right moves this spring could be what tips the balance.