The Dallas Cowboys will once again spend January watching the NFL playoffs from home, a familiar and increasingly frustrating position for one of the league’s most visible franchises.

Another season without postseason football has forced Dallas to confront uncomfortable truths, chief among them the need to overhaul a defense that repeatedly failed in high-leverage moments.

As the organization turns the page, the first significant step toward change came Tuesday with the dismissal of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

The move signals a clear shift in direction, as the Cowboys aim to reset their defensive identity under new leadership and inject fresh talent through the upcoming NFL Draft.

A new defensive coordinator, combined with an influx of young players from April’s draft, will largely determine whether Dallas can regain relevance in a crowded NFC landscape.

From a roster-building perspective, the Cowboys find themselves in a rare and potentially advantageous position despite another losing season.

Dallas currently owns the 12th overall pick in the draft after finishing below .500 for the second consecutive year, a reflection of ongoing inconsistency.

More intriguingly, the Cowboys also control the first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, acquired through the blockbuster Micah Parsons trade.

That additional draft asset introduces a layer of complexity and opportunity, with its exact position dependent on Green Bay’s playoff performance.

If the Packers lose to the Chicago Bears on Saturday, Dallas would receive the 20th overall pick, a scenario Cowboys fans are eagerly rooting for.

Should Green Bay win this weekend but fall in the Divisional Round, the pick would slide to 25, diminishing its immediate value.

Any further Packers success would push the selection even lower, making Saturday’s matchup unexpectedly meaningful for Cowboys supporters.

If the ideal scenario unfolds, Dallas would enter the draft holding the 12th and 20th overall picks, a level of first-round capital few teams possess.

Such draft positioning creates flexibility, leverage, and multiple pathways for a franchise desperate to rebuild its defensive foundation.

The obvious assumption is that the Cowboys would use both picks to target elite defensive prospects capable of stepping into starting roles immediately.

This draft class is loaded with high-end defensive talent, and Dallas fans have already begun imagining potential combinations that could transform the unit overnight.

Several names stand out as particularly appealing fits for a defense that lacks playmakers at nearly every level.

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese brings range, physicality, and instincts that could immediately upgrade Dallas’ second level.

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey offers explosive pass-rush ability, addressing a glaring need for consistent pressure opposite existing linemen.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs projects as a tone-setting presence in the secondary, combining coverage versatility with downhill aggression.

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane presents another enticing option, particularly for a secondary that has struggled with coverage breakdowns and missed assignments.

Landing two players from that group would represent a dream scenario, instantly reshaping the Cowboys’ defensive outlook.

However, draft night rarely unfolds perfectly, and Dallas must be prepared for contingencies if their top targets come off the board early.

The reality is that the Cowboys’ defensive needs are both numerous and urgent, leaving little margin for error.

A strong case can be made that Dallas requires a new starting safety to stabilize the back end of the defense.

The edge rusher position also demands reinforcement, as pressure consistency has been elusive throughout the season.

Linebacker remains another area of concern, particularly in coverage situations and run fits against physical offenses.

Cornerback depth and reliability are also lacking, forcing the defense into unfavorable matchups far too often.

In essence, the Cowboys need a starter at nearly every defensive position except defensive tackle.

That reality is somewhat ironic, given that defensive tackle has long been considered Dallas’ Achilles’ heel.

Yet, thanks to the Parsons trade, the team has redistributed talent and now boasts relative strength along the interior defensive line.

Unfortunately, that redistribution has left holes almost everywhere else, compounding the challenge of a full-scale defensive rebuild.

The situation becomes even more complicated when considering Dallas’ lack of mid-round draft capital.

The Cowboys do not possess a second-round pick due to the trade for Quinnen Williams.

They are also without a third-round selection following the acquisition of George Pickens.

With only two picks in the early rounds, the question becomes how Dallas can realistically address so many needs.

The most logical answer is one the franchise has used before: trading back to accumulate additional draft assets.

If the Cowboys hold picks 12 and 20, they would possess enough leverage to manipulate the board creatively.

One option would be retaining the 12th pick to secure a premium prospect while trading the 20th selection.

For example, Dallas could move pick 20 to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the 34th and 65th overall picks.

According to the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, such a deal would be equitable and beneficial for both sides.

With picks 12, 34, and 65, Dallas could land one elite defender and two additional players capable of starting early.

That approach would spread resources more evenly across the defense rather than concentrating investment in two spots.

The Cowboys could also take a more aggressive route by trading both first-round selections.

Dallas could theoretically send pick 12 to the Houston Texans in exchange for picks 27 and 38.

Combining that move with a trade-down of pick 20 would yield selections at 27, 34, 38, and 65.

That would give the Cowboys three picks in the top 40 and four within the top 65 overall.

Such a haul would dramatically increase their chances of finding multiple defensive contributors.

It would also allow Dallas to address positions like safety and linebacker without spending top-20 draft capital.

This strategy aligns with the Cowboys’ long-standing reluctance to overspend in free agency.

Instead of plugging holes with expensive veterans, Dallas has consistently favored draft-based team building.

Given the scope of their defensive issues, having more premium darts to throw at the board may be the smarter path.

The Cowboys find themselves in a unique position where patience and discipline could yield long-term rewards.

Great draft capital brings great responsibility, and how Dallas chooses to deploy it may define the next era of the franchise.

If executed correctly, this draft could transform a bad defense into a functional one.

And in the NFL, even modest defensive improvement can elevate a decent team into legitimate contention.

For a Cowboys organization desperate to escape its cycle of disappointment, the 2026 draft represents both risk and opportunity.

How they navigate it may ultimately determine whether January football returns to Dallas—or remains a distant memory.