After a season that saw the Dallas Cowboys light up the scoreboard on offense but struggle mightily on the other side of the ball, the franchise heads into a pivotal offseason with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft-and a lot of defensive ground to make up.
The silver lining in an otherwise frustrating year? That extra first-round pick, courtesy of the Micah Parsons trade. It’s a rare opportunity for Dallas to reshape its defense with two potential impact players-and they’ll need to hit on both if they want to get back into playoff contention next season.
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker inherits a unit that lacked punch at every level. From the front seven to the secondary, the Cowboys simply didn’t have the talent or consistency needed to compete with the league’s top offenses. That’s why all eyes are on the draft-and why NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah raised some eyebrows with his latest mock.
A Surprise at No. 12: Colton Hood to Dallas
Jeremiah’s projection for the Cowboys’ first pick is Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood-an unexpected name at No. 12 overall. While no one would argue that Dallas doesn’t need help in the secondary, the Hood pick is a curveball.
Most mock drafts have him going later in the first round, possibly even early Day 2. So why the early reach?
Let’s start with the need. After letting Trevon Diggs walk, the Cowboys are painfully thin at corner.
They need a player who can step in and start from Day 1, and Jeremiah believes Hood fits that bill. “Hood would be a plug-and-play starter for them,” he explained.
And there’s some real momentum behind the pick. Hood wasn’t even on most draft boards heading into the season, but when Tennessee’s top corner Jermod McCoy went down with a season-ending injury, Hood stepped into the spotlight-and thrived.
He showed fluid hips, natural instincts, and the kind of competitive edge you want in a top-flight corner. His rise has been rapid, but it’s not without substance.
Still, taking him at 12 raises questions. Could Dallas trade down and still land Hood?
Possibly. But Jeremiah’s mock suggests the Cowboys may be more interested in securing their guy than playing the value game.
Double-Dipping on Defense: Keldric Faulk at No. 20
The second first-round pick is less controversial and arguably even more essential. At No.
20, Jeremiah has Dallas selecting Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, a versatile edge rusher who brings size, power, and scheme flexibility. Whether he lines up as a traditional defensive end or kicks inside on passing downs, Faulk has the tools to disrupt.
For a defense that struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2025, Faulk would be a welcome addition. He’s not just a pass rusher-he’s a tone-setter, the kind of player who can help anchor a front that’s been missing that kind of presence since the departure of Parsons.
A Blueprint for Defensive Rebuild
If Dallas walks away from Round 1 with both Hood and Faulk, they’ll have addressed two of their most glaring weaknesses: coverage and pressure. That’s not to say all is fixed-there are still holes at linebacker and question marks in the interior D-line-but this would be a strong start.
For a team that’s been defined by offensive firepower in recent years, the 2026 draft could mark a turning point. With Parker calling the shots on defense and two highly-touted prospects potentially on the way, the Cowboys have a real shot at rebalancing the roster.
Now, it’s up to the front office to make it count.