Dallas Cowboys Eye Big Offseason Moves: Draft Strategy Could Reshape Offensive and Defensive Identity
ARLINGTON, TX – The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2026 NFL offseason with a singular focus: retooling a roster that struggled mightily in 2025. After a disappointing campaign, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, the team’s front office is being tasked with a difficult balancing act—addressing immediate needs while planning for sustained success.
For Dallas, the offseason begins with key decisions on two fronts. First, the team must hire a new defensive coordinator following the firing of Matt Eberflus. Second, the Cowboys hold two valuable first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving them the flexibility to target impact talent on both sides of the ball. While much of the attention has centered on defensive upgrades, recent mock drafts indicate Dallas could take some unconventional routes that speak to both strategy and roster-building philosophy.
The Draft: Two First-Round Picks, Two Different Needs
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson released his 2026 mock draft, projecting that the Cowboys will use their first-round selections to address seemingly unexpected areas. With the 12th overall pick, Wilson predicts the Cowboys will select Spencer Fano, an offensive lineman from Utah, while the 20th pick (via Green Bay) will be used on Sonny Styles, a linebacker from Ohio State.
On the surface, choosing an offensive lineman with the 12th pick may surprise some fans, given the team’s defensive struggles in 2025. Yet Wilson and other analysts argue that the Cowboys could be looking at a possible opening at right tackle, especially if the team moves on from Terence Steele in a salary cap–saving maneuver. In that context, drafting Fano is not just a best-player-available choice but also a strategic investment in the offensive line, protecting quarterback Dak Prescott and setting up the run game for success.
Spencer Fano: Technical Skill Meets Athleticism
Fano’s profile is built on athleticism, technique, and consistency. Standing out for his footwork, balance, and ability to mirror speed rushers, Fano has proven himself against high-level defensive competition in the Pac-12. While not necessarily a dominant mauler, Fano anchors effectively in pass protection, handles stunts and twists with precision, and redirects smoothly against bendy edge defenders.
“He consistently shows patience and control, maintaining a strong base against high-end pass rushers,” Wilson notes. “In the run game, Fano thrives in wide-zone schemes, using his mobility to reach the second level and finish blocks. He’s not flashy, but he’s fundamentally sound and technically polished—a player who can step in and make an immediate impact.”
While some fans might balk at the idea of addressing offensive line needs before shoring up the defense, this pick aligns with a philosophy many NFL teams now embrace: build around your quarterback and offense first to maintain offensive stability while developing the defense.
Sonny Styles: Defensive Playmaker
With their 20th pick, the Cowboys could pivot back to defense, addressing a glaring need at linebacker. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles has generated buzz as a versatile, athletic linebacker capable of impacting both the run and pass game.
“Styles is fast, physical, and plays downhill with urgency,” Wilson writes. “He’s tough enough to engage offensive linemen, athletic enough to cover ground in space, and smart enough to handle multiple roles in a defense.”
Styles’ 2025 season statistics reflect his versatility: 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble. Beyond the numbers, his football IQ and adaptability make him an ideal fit for a Cowboys defense in transition. He can blitz, fill gaps, drop into coverage, or read the offensive scheme and adjust on the fly—a skill set that any defensive coordinator would value.
Adding Styles would also bring an immediate leadership presence to the linebacker corps. The son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles, Sonny has pedigree, experience, and a competitive edge shaped by playing in Ohio State’s high-pressure environment. With the Cowboys likely searching for a new defensive identity under a fresh coordinator, Styles’ versatility and intelligence could make him a cornerstone of the defense for years to come.
Balancing Immediate Needs and Long-Term Vision
The Cowboys’ draft strategy reflects the delicate balancing act NFL teams face. On one hand, they must address immediate weaknesses: right tackle and linebacker are both positions that could materially impact the team’s performance in 2026. On the other, Dallas must think long-term, ensuring that each pick contributes to a sustainable roster capable of contending in the competitive NFC East.
This dual-focus approach is evident in the pairing of Fano and Styles. Fano secures the offensive front, ensuring Prescott and the running game remain viable, while Styles provides a dynamic defender capable of impacting the defense immediately and developing into a leader as the new system under a defensive coordinator takes shape.
Draft Context: Opportunities and Pressure
The 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from April 23-25, offers the Cowboys a rich pool of talent. With two first-round selections inside the top 20, Dallas can afford to be opportunistic while still targeting their most pressing positional needs. Analysts are watching the team closely, speculating not just on which players the Cowboys will select but also on how these selections will reflect the organization’s overarching strategy.
Offensive line and linebacker are both premium positions that influence team performance beyond the stat sheet. Protecting the quarterback, controlling the line of scrimmage, and stabilizing the defense are essential for a team looking to rebound after a subpar season. If the Cowboys execute correctly, these picks could set the foundation for both immediate competitiveness and long-term growth.
Linking Draft Choices to Coaching Decisions
The draft strategy cannot be divorced from the ongoing search for a defensive coordinator. The player selected with the 20th pick, Styles, will likely be a key figure in the defensive scheme, so Dallas must ensure that the coordinator hired aligns with the skill set and potential of the incoming rookie.
Potential coordinator candidates—including Packers defensive line coach Demarcus Covington, Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker, and others—will need to demonstrate the ability to maximize the impact of Styles and other young defenders. The synergy between coaching philosophy and draft strategy will be critical in determining whether the Cowboys’ defense can rebound from its 2025 struggles.
Fan and Media Reactions
Initial reactions to the projected draft strategy have been mixed. Some fans express surprise at prioritizing offensive line before addressing defensive woes, while others recognize the logic in stabilizing the offensive core before building around the defense. Analysts note that Fano represents a high-floor pick with immediate impact, while Styles provides both upside and versatility—attributes essential for the Cowboys’ long-term defensive plans.
Social media chatter has highlighted both optimism and skepticism. One fan wrote, “I get the Fano pick if Steele is gone, but Styles at 20 is huge. We need a linebacker who can run sideline-to-sideline and make plays—he might be our guy.” Others questioned whether addressing offensive line before defense might signal a lack of confidence in the defensive coordinator search.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Offseason for Dallas
The 2026 NFL offseason represents a turning point for the Dallas Cowboys. With two first-round picks, critical free-agent opportunities, and a vacant defensive coordinator position, the franchise has the chance to reshape its identity on both sides of the ball.
Selecting Spencer Fano at 12 and Sonny Styles at 20 could signal a strategic balance between offense and defense, immediate need and long-term development, stability and explosiveness. Coupled with a thoughtful coaching hire, these moves have the potential to revitalize a team eager to reclaim its place atop the NFC East.
For Cowboys fans, the draft represents more than selections on a board; it is a symbol of hope, direction, and the promise of a team poised to return to relevance in 2026 and beyond. If executed well, the combination of draft choices, coaching hires, and strategic roster management could make this offseason one of the most consequential in recent memory.
