The Dallas Cowboys' 2025 season came to a close with a 7-9-1 record, capped off by a loss to the division-rival New York Giants. That result, coupled with a late-season Atlanta win, bumped Dallas up to the No. 12 spot in the 2026 NFL Draft.
And thanks to a blockbuster trade with Green Bay last August that sent Micah Parsons to the Packers, the Cowboys now hold two first-round picks-No. 12 and No. 20.
For a franchise looking to reset after a disappointing campaign, that’s a solid starting point.
Draft Capital Breakdown: A Closer Look
Let’s talk draft capital, because while wins and losses define a season, the war room in April can chart the course for years to come. According to the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart-a tool still widely used in front offices to this day-the Cowboys have the 11th-most valuable draft haul heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. That puts them in a strong position to maneuver, whether that means trading up, trading down, or simply standing pat and selecting impact players with their current picks.
Here’s how their draft board currently shapes up:
- 1st Round: No. 12
- 1st Round: No. 20 (via Green Bay)
- 2nd Round: No. 44 (via New York Jets - Quinnen Williams trade)
- 3rd Round: No. 76 (via Pittsburgh - George Pickens trade)
- **4th Round: ~No.
112**
- **5th Round: ~No.
150**
- 5th Round: ~No. 177 (compensatory pick for DeMarcus Lawrence)
- 6th Round: ~No. 191 (via New York Giants - Jordan Phillips trade)
- 6th Round: ~No. 215 (compensatory pick for Brandon Cooks)
- 7th Round: ~No. 221 (sent to Cincinnati in Logan Wilson trade)
- 7th Round: ~No. 225 (via Kansas City for Peyton Hendershot)
- 7th Round: ~No. 228 (via Buffalo - Kaiir Elam trade)
That’s 11 total selections, including two in the top 20 and four within the top 76. For a front office that needs to hit on young, cost-controlled talent, this is a golden opportunity.
The Micah Parsons Trade: A Pivotal Gamble
The Parsons deal was one of the most talked-about moves of last offseason, and now we’re starting to see the full ripple effects. By shipping their All-Pro linebacker to Green Bay, the Cowboys not only opened up cap flexibility but also added a second first-rounder. That No. 20 pick could be a difference-maker-especially in a draft class that’s expected to be deep at premium positions like offensive tackle, cornerback, and edge rusher.
Was it worth it? That answer will depend entirely on how Dallas uses that pick and whether they can find a player who can come close to matching Parsons’ impact.
But when you’re sitting outside the playoff picture and looking to retool, sometimes bold moves are necessary. This was one of them.
League-Wide Draft Landscape
With Super Bowl LX officially in the books-Seattle topped New England in a defensive battle to hoist the Lombardi Trophy-the full draft order is now set. Dallas slots in with the 12th and 20th picks in Round 1, while teams like the Jets (picking No. 2 and No. 16) and the Raiders (holding the No. 1 overall pick) are positioned to make major noise.
Here’s a snapshot of the top of the first round:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- Los Angeles Rams
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets (via trade)
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay)
And when you stack up the total draft value across all rounds, the Cowboys’ 2,178.4 points place them just behind Kansas City and ahead of Cincinnati. That’s a solid spot to be in-especially for a team with multiple needs and the flexibility to address them in a variety of ways.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys have a lot of decisions to make between now and draft weekend. Do they double down on the trenches with both first-rounders?
Target a playmaker to help Dak Prescott-or a future quarterback, depending on how the offseason shakes out? Or do they package picks to move up and grab a top-tier talent?
What we do know is this: Dallas has positioned itself well. With two first-round selections, a top-15 value ranking, and a front office that’s shown a willingness to make aggressive moves, the Cowboys are one of the more intriguing teams heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
After a season that fell short of expectations, this is their chance to pivot. The pieces are there. Now it’s about making them count.