Live updates: Cowboys slated to select twice in first round of NFL draft
The 2026 NFL draft is here!
Follow along as we recap the action from Thursday night as it happens. The Dallas Cowboys are slated to select twice in the first round for the first time since 2008, as they have the No. 12 and No. 20 selections. But considering the possibility of trades in the first round, those picks could move around as the draft goes.
Cowboys’ selections
Check back here for more information on the Cowboys’ selections in the first round.
First round developments around the league
The first trade of the night has happened, as the Kansas City Chiefs have traded up to the No. 6 overall selection with the Cleveland Browns.
Here is how the first round has played out thus far:
- Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
- New York Jets - DE David Bailey (Texas Tech)
- Arizona Cardinals - RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- Tennessee Titans - WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
- New York Giants - EDGE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
- Kansas City Chiefs (traded with Browns) - CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
- Washington Commanders - LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
- New Orleans Saints - WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
- Cleveland Browns (traded with Chiefs) - OT Spencer Fano (Utah)
- New York Giants - OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Jets
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cleveland Browns
- Chicago Bears
- Buffalo Bills
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- Seattle Seahawks
Pre-draft notes
• 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.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 6:24 PM.
