{"id":131379,"date":"2025-12-16T08:10:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T08:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=131379"},"modified":"2025-12-16T08:10:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T08:10:56","slug":"report-cowboys-make-an-aggressive-statement-in-a-recent-2026-nfl-mock-draft-by-landing-a-physical-cornerback-and-a-lightning-fast-edge-rusher-the-selections-signal-a-clear-priority-on-defensive-aggr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=131379","title":{"rendered":"Report: Cowboys make an aggressive statement in a recent 2026 NFL mock draft by landing a physical cornerback and a lightning-fast edge rusher. The selections signal a clear priority on defensive aggression, speed, and long-term roster balance. If executed, this draft approach could redefine Dallas\u2019 defensive identity for years to come"},"content":{"rendered":"
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College Football HQ released a new 2026 NFL mock draft, which has the Dallas Cowboys adding two new starters on the defensive side of the ball….<\/em><\/div>\n
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\"Clemson<\/picture><\/div>\n
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Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium. | Alex Martin\/Greenville News \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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The hopes for the playoffs are all but gone for the Dallas Cowboys following their Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings….<\/p>\n

That means despite three games remaining on the schedule, fans will begin looking ahead to the upcoming offseason.<\/p>\n

Those fans will be crossing their fingers that Jerry Jones and the front office find a way to fix this suspect defense, which has held back their elite offense.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the Cowboys can make some key changes in the 2026 NFL draft since they have two picks in Round 1.<\/p>\n

That’s exactly what happens in this mock draft from College Football HQ’s Nick Merriam, who has them adding a speedy edge and versatile cornerback in a defensive overhaul….<\/p>\n

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Pick No. 14: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech<\/h2>\n
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\"Texas<\/picture><\/div>\n
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Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end David Bailey pressures Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Noah Walters. | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Dallas has lacked a true pass-rush identity ever since Micah Parsons left in August. Bailey brings the speed and explosiveness this unit has missed.”<\/em> – Merriam, College Football HQ<\/p>\n

Trading Micah Parsons left Dallas thin on the edge and while Donovan Ezeiruaku has shown flashes, he hasn’t been able to fill the void.<\/p>\n

That leads to the selection of Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who has been a game-wrecker off the edge.<\/p>\n

Bailey spent three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech, where he’s exploded with 13.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss….<\/p>\n

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Pick No. 23: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/h2>\n
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\"Clemson<\/picture><\/div>\n
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Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell celebrates a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Dallas\u2019 secondary has multiple versatile pieces and Terrell would add to that. The Cowboys love corners who hit and drive aggressively to the ball.”<\/em> – Merriam, College Football HQ<\/p>\n

The younger brother of A.J. Terrell of the Atlanta Falcons, Avieon Terrell, would be an instant difference-maker for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

His selection would give them three starting-caliber corners with DaRon Bland leading the way and Shavon Revel Jr. showing promise as a rookie.<\/p>\n

Dallas will still need help at safety, but this would be an excellent start toward rebuilding their suspect secondary.<\/p>\n

The hopes for the playoffs are all but gone for the Dallas Cowboys following their Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings….<\/p>\n

That means despite three games remaining on the schedule, fans will begin looking ahead to the upcoming offseason.<\/p>\n

Those fans will be crossing their fingers that Jerry Jones and the front office find a way to fix this suspect defense, which has held back their elite offense.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the Cowboys can make some key changes in the 2026 NFL draft since they have two picks in Round 1.<\/p>\n

That’s exactly what happens in this mock draft from College Football HQ’s Nick Merriam, who has them adding a speedy edge and versatile cornerback in a defensive overhaul….<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

College Football HQ released a new 2026 NFL mock draft, which has the Dallas Cowboys adding two new starters on the defensive side of the ball…. Clemson… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":131384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nReport: Cowboys make an aggressive statement in a recent 2026 NFL mock draft by landing a physical cornerback and a lightning-fast edge rusher. The selections signal a clear priority on defensive aggression, speed, and long-term roster balance. 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