Cowboys face big choices in tonight’s NFL draft. Here’s what to know
The Dallas Cowboys enter Thursday night’s NFL draft with picks No. 12 and No. 20 in the first round, hoping to overhaul a defense that was among the league’s worst in 2025. Owner Jerry Jones confirmed the team is already fielding trade calls, but Dallas appears prepared to stay put if premier defenders fall their way.
Here are key takeaways:
• Defense is the priority, but not guaranteed. The Cowboys’ top targets at No. 12 include LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
• The “best player available” strategy could mean offense. If premier defenders are gone at No. 12, the Cowboys may take a wide receiver like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson or Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Stephen Jones said in January, “If CeeDee Lamb is sitting there again, you have to look at it.”
• Watch the offensive line picks before No. 12. The Cowboys need offensive linemen to go early — ideally at least three off the board from picks 3 to 10 — to push top defenders down to No. 12.
• Trading back from No. 20 is a real possibility. Dallas has only one day-two pick heading in, and 10 of the 12 teams picking behind them need offensive line help — creating potential trade partners eager to move up.
• Post-draft moves are already in the works. Stephen Jones said the team is “talking currently to teams about veteran players” to fill gaps at positions like linebacker, where a massive hole remains at the lead communicator role.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
