Anyone with a functioning brain could see that the Dallas Cowboys would have an atrocious defense in 2025. The team tried to rectify its mistake, both at the trade deadline and in the offseason.
But as things currently stand, it is hard to feel much optimism about their chances next season, either. That is, unless, as one analyst believes, they make a concentrated effort to improve the unit in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After trading away Micah Parsons, the only player who was holding it together on that side of the football, the writing was clearly on the wall for the Cowboys to struggle defensively. However, it was hard to imagine just how bad things would get.
At the end of the season, they ranked 32nd on PFSN’s Defense Impact, even after the additions of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. This offseason, they have tried to make further additions to improve that side of the team, including a trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary and signing veteran safety Jalen Thompson.
Focusing on the 2026 NFL Draft
But the work, at least from a long-term perspective, is far from over. For TJ Randall of PFSN, the work truly begins in the 2026 NFL Draft. In his latest mock draft, he had Dallas obsessing over defense as if it were their only job.
With two first-round picks at their disposal, Randall has the Cowboys getting help on the inside and fixing their secondary in an instant. At No. 12, he had them pegged to draft safety Caleb Downs before going after edge rusher Cashius Howell with the 20th pick.
Even though Randall saw trade possibilities to bring in additional draft compensation as a potential pathway, he believed the team’s needs could make the twin selections a better option.
With the current secondary comprising Malik Hooker and Thompson at safety, the group clearly needs a major overhaul to remain competitive. After the team used the franchise tag on George Pickens, it’s likely the offense can maintain its output.
Then, the focus will turn to the defense and how much it can support head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. In that regard, both Downs and Howell would fill obvious needs for the Cowboys.
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Both players are highly ranked at their respective positions by PFSN and could give Dallas an instant jolt. Add in the personnel changes that the team has made on the sidelines, such as hiring defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and it might finally be the beginning of a new dawn for the Cowboys.
