Cowboys Rebuild Defense with 2 First-Round Picks

0:00On April 20, Dallas Cowboys need to rebuild that defense big time heading into the 2026 NFL draft. Last season, their unit ranked near the bottom, and owner Jerry Jones straight up said if they played even average ball, they'd have made the playoffs. Now with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker calling shots, they've got two first-round picks to load up on talent and turn things around fast. They kick it off in round one, pick 12, grabbing safety, Caleb Downes from Ohio State, a total stud with elite instincts, speed and versatility too. Play anywhere in the secondary. Then at pick 20, they snack edge rusher at K Mesador from Miami, a beast with 12.5 sacks last year who can disrupt from the edge or inside right away. Meanwhile, the mid-rounds keep the defensive focus sharp. In round three, pick 92, corner-back Keith Abney from Arizona State brings speed and ball skills with five picks over two years.

1:00Round four, pick 112, they add linebacker Jimmy Rolder from Michigan, a sideline to sideline tackler who's perfect for Parker's scheme. Later picks mix in some offense but stay heavy on trenches' help. Like why receiver Malik Benson and offensive lineman Alex Harkie from Oregon and Round Five, plus another edge guy Logan Fano from Utah and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland from NC State in rounds five and seven. This blueprint gives Dallas a defense packed with immediate impact and depth, setting them up for that playoff push Jones is craving. Just watch how. Parker molds this crew into contenders.