Cowboys' 2026 Draft: 2 First-Round Picks, Defense-Heavy

0:00On April 23rd, the Dallas Cowboys are rolling into the 2026 NFL Draft with two first round picks, marking just the third time this. Century they've had that luxury. They snagged this edge by trading star-pass rusher, Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last season for defensive tackle Kenny Clark, plus those. Premium selections. One this year, one next. It's a big deal because their defense ranked dead last, and scoring, finishing seven wins, nine losses, and one tie. This set up echoes two decades back to 2005, when Dallas also packed two first rounders after a rough defensive year. They flit their scheme from four three to three four under Coach Bill Parsels, just like new coordinator Christian Parker plans now, with A. Multiple Front Base. Back then, the focus was reloading the D line in linebacker spots to make the switch stick. Fans and front office folks are buzzing with hope, drawing parallels to that 2005 haul that sparked real turnaround.

1:00Rookies to Marcus Ware and Marcus Spears stepped up huge, where with eight sacks as a starter, Spears anchoring with tackles and pressures pushing the Cowboys to ninth in yards allowed and 12th against the score, good for a three win jump to nine and seven. Word from VP, Will McClay, and owner Jerry Jones is their grinding tape hard, eyeing best players available, but leaning defense heavy. Jones even teased trading that capital if a steel pops up, flexing cap room too. Recently kits like Philly's Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith duo leading to a Super Bowl, or Seattle's corner and receiver pair stacking pro bowls. Show dual top picks can flip franchises fast. Dallas knows every drafts its own beast, but with history whispering sweet nothings, they're betting these swings rebuild the back end and launch a contender run for years ahead.