Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Defensive Powerhouse

0:00On March 30th, with just four mock draft Mondays left before the 2026 NFL draft on April 23rd, it's crunch time for the Dallas. Cowboys to nail their picks. In this seven-round mock using PFF simulator, I project them grabbing Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs at number 12. He's a talented playmaker with some medical questions on his knee that might slide him right to Dallas. They don't stop there. After snagging Downs, the Cowboys trade back from number 20 with Kansas City, picking up their 29th pick, A third-rounder at 72 and a 2027-5th. At 29, they land UCF Edge Russia Malachi Lawrence, a combine beast with a 9.90 relative athletic score and rising stock. Fans are buzzing about this defensive hall early, especially with local flavor like Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad at 72 via the trade and TCU linebacker Caleb Alarms or at 92 from a real prior swap with San Francisco. These guys feel big

1:03needs at safety, edge, corner and linebacker addressing Dallas's defensive gaps head on. Deeper into the draft, they pivot to offense with Baylor tight-in Michael Trigg at 112, a polarizing talent with upside despite effort, concerns. Fifth-round brings South Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett for run-stuffing depth, Alabama running back Jam Miller with his 4.42, 40, and Oregon tackle Alex Harky as a Texas project. Rapping day three and beyond, they close with UCF Edge Nigelie Kelly in the seventh at 218, another pass rush dart throw with size and production. This class arms Dallas with defensive firepower, local gyms, and balance depth to push for that ring.