Cowboys' Draft Picks: Safety or Linebacker?

0:00It's April 23rd, I'm Cory with the story. This is NFL News Today, driven by AI and Bill for football fans. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in just a couple hours, and the Dallas Cowboys sit at Pick 12 overall in the first round. They might trade up for a bigger splash, but if they hold steady, our final mock has them grabbing some real starters early. Earlier mocks had Miami's Rubin Bains Jr. sliding to them as a defensive end, but the buzz has shifted hard to Ohio State's Caleb Downs, a safety, who's now the betting favorite to land in Dallas. Fans and analysts love this for the Cowboys, who haven't drafted a safety in the first round since Roy Williams back in 2002. Downs brings versatility, playing both safety spots and the slot, with 257 tackles, 16 for loss, and 6 picks over 3. Buck Eyes seasons plus he impressed at the combine with his smarts. Sticking with the mock, their second first rounder at Pick 20 goes to Texas Tech Limebacker

1:00Jacob Rodriguez, a turnover machine who had four. Interceptions in 7-4's fumbles last year. Cowboys desperately need that ball-hawking vibe after a turnover drought in 2025. Whether they pull the trigger on downs or Rodriguez, or shake things up with the trade, Dallas lets prime to bolster that defense right out the gate draft nights about to drop some heat.