Why the position Cowboys fans should watch in the first round is offensive line
The NFL draft is just days away, as the Dallas Cowboys are gearing up to make two selections in the first round for the first time since 2008 in hopes of repairing what was one of the league’s worst defenses in 2025.
In order to do that, they will need impact players at multiple defensive position groups in the draft.
A massive hole exists at linebacker after swinging and missing on multiple free agents to play the green-dot lead communicator role in the middle. Heading into the draft, the only off-ball linebackers on the roster are DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron.
Speaking last month at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer also mentioned that nickel corner is still a need for the staff heading into the draft. Despite signing Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson in free agency -- two guys that can play the nickel but don’t necessarily specialize in it -- the desire to add to the secondary still exists.
Then, there are cases to be made at pass rusher and safety. Both positions have their starting groups figured out, most likely, but could use reliable depth and/or premier young talent for the future beyond 2026.
So, yes. Basically any defensive position that is on the board, the Cowboys will be in the mix, but it won’t be anything on that side of the ball that fans should have the keenest eye on during the draft’s first night.
It will be offensive line.
How offensive line impacts No. 12 overall
If the Cowboys do not trade up from No. 12 overall, they will be holding on for dear life to get a premier defender to fall to them. Whether it’s Mansoor Delane, Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs, getting one of those to fall to No. 12 has to be the objective.
In order for that to happen, the Cowboys need a run of offensive players to go before them. The receivers are a group to watch, but there aren’t enough wild cards in that group to single-handedly push the defenders down. But on the offensive line? The possibilites are plentiful.
Starting with Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, the eyes in the Cowboys war room will be hanging on hoping that the offensive line run starts early and often. Mauigoa could go as early as No. 3 overall, but the Cowboys need him -- or another offensive lineman -- to go by No. 5 overall. Then, the run could ensue.
The Cleveland Browns have put focus on Utah tackle Spencer Fano during the draft process, and they may be encouraged to get him on the boat at No. 6 overall. After that, possibilities such as Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, Clemson’s Blake Miller, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor and Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane could take up a small handful of top-11 spots. In analyzing projections and respected mock drafts across the league, the Cowboys should be hoping that at least three come off the board from 3-to-10. That would all but guarantee a premier defender sliding to No. 12 if the rest of the top-11 plays out to expectation.
How offensive line impacts No. 20 overall
Again, the Cowboys aren’t looking at offensive line in the first round for what feels like the first time in an eternity. But also again, the offensive line picture in the first round will impact one of their picks.
There are multiple teams picking in the 20s that are looking for offensive line help. According to NFL.com’s draft needs, 10 of the 12 teams picking behind the Cowboys in the first round have offensive line as of their two biggest needs going into the draft.
The Cowboys have been vocal about wanting to acquire more capital if the opportunity presents itself, and they’ve been known to work the phone lines in the 20s to the full extent in recent years -- even as recent as 2024 when they traded back from No. 24 to No. 29 to select Tyler Guyton. That opportunity could be fruitful for them once again at No. 20.
Multiple quality offensive linemen are expected to be on the board when the 20s roll around: Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis, Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor, Utah tackle Caleb Lomu, Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge, Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon among others. A team could be completely content with waiting its turn for a player to fall to its selection. Or, a team could move up to No. 20 and get its pick of the litter by swapping picks with Dallas.
So, if you’re rooting for the Cowboys’ success on the backend of the first round, keep an eye on those offensive linemen and the boatload of offensive line-needy teams behind them. It may just work out where they pick up a valuable day two selection while still making two first-round selections.
Just some food for thought. Happy draft week.
