The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a rare chance to reshape the identity of their defense in a single night. Holding both the No. 12 and No. 20 picks in the first round, Jerry Jones’ Dallas has enough capital to address multiple weaknesses on a unit that badly underperformed last season.
One recent projection has the Cowboys using those premium selections on two of college football’s more intriguing defensive prospects, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. If that pairing becomes reality, it would represent a huge commitment to versatility, intelligence, and speed on a struggling side of the ball. More importantly, it would show Dallas is serious about rebuilding a defense that simply was not good enough in 2025.
Cowboys Projected to Land Caleb Downs as a Centerpiece for DC Christian Parker
In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Ian Cummings projected Dallas to use one of its first-round picks on Downs, a prospect widely viewed as one of the most talented defensive players in the class. Cummings framed the fit around new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme and the flexibility Downs could bring to the secondary.
“With a second first-round pick waiting in the wings, the Cowboys opt to take the best player available in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. In defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme, Caleb Downs can be a do-it-all player, with the versatility to play split-field or roam as a nickel in zone,” Cummings wrote.
That kind of deployment would make sense for a player whose value is rooted in both range and instincts. Downs has long been viewed as a high-level football mind on the back end, and Cummings emphasized that point in his evaluation.
“While Downs never did testing this cycle, it doesn’t take much exposure to the tape to know he’s the real deal. Downs’ coverage, mobility, and elite football IQ are the glues that fuse his game together. He dissuades targets in coverage and is rock-solid in support,” Cummings added.
Downs’ showing at the field indeed supports the hype around his draft stock. Across stops at Alabama and Ohio State, he played 44 career games and recorded 257 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles, while also adding 2 punt return touchdowns. On the PFSN Consensus Big Board, Caleb Downs carries a grade of 93.49, ranks No. 2 overall, and is viewed as a potential first-round selection.
Jacob Rodriguez Could Help Dallas Fix Another Major Defensive Weakness
Dallas’ projected second defensive addition addresses a very different issue, linebacker play. Rodriguez may not have prototypical size, but Cummings highlighted why his production and athletic profile make him an appealing fit for a defense that needs more consistency in the middle.
“This may come as a surprise, but perhaps it shouldn’t. Yes, Jacob Rodriguez is undersized at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, with sub-31-inch arms. But he won four defensive awards with elite production in 2025. He tested as one of the best athletes in the class, and he was one of the defensive stars of the Senior Bowl,” Cummings wrote.
He then explained why Rodriguez could handle a meaningful role quickly if Dallas brought him in.
“Aside from size and play strength, there aren’t too many holes to poke in Rodriguez’s game, and the Cowboys desperately need competent LB play. Rodriguez has the acumen to man the “green dot” role, but also has the range and fluidity to make plays in all phases,” the PFSN analyst added.
On the PFSN Consensus Big Board, Rodriguez carries a grade of 84.50, ranks No. 51 overall, and is viewed as a potential first-round selection.
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The Cowboys’ need for reinforcements is obvious; they have struggled massively on the defensive side of the ball, and the numbers don’t lie either. According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, Dallas finished 7-9-1 with a 62.1 DEFi, which ranked 32nd in the league. Their defense earned a D- grade and ranked near the very bottom of the NFL overall, underlining just how badly the unit struggled throughout the season.
In practical terms, the numbers reflect a defense that lacked both playmaking consistency and structural reliability. And if Dallas wants to turn the page, it surely needs more than one fix.
