{"id":165379,"date":"2026-03-17T03:20:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T03:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=165379"},"modified":"2026-03-17T03:20:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T03:20:43","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-the-dallas-cowboys-latest-7-round-mock-draft-just-got-a-major-shake-up-a-few-early-free-agency-decisions-from-jerry-jones-are-already-rewriting-the-teams-projected-draf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=165379","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 The Dallas Cowboys\u2019 Latest 7-Round Mock Draft Just Got a Major Shake-Up. A few early free-agency decisions from Jerry Jones are already rewriting the team\u2019s projected draft plan."},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Dallas Cowboys<\/span><\/span><\/strong> have been active but relatively quiet during the early stages of NFL free agency. While owner Jerry Jones<\/span><\/span><\/strong> hasn\u2019t made a blockbuster move yet, the team has addressed several defensive needs and added depth across the roster.<\/p>\n

\"Jerry<\/p>\n

Among their offseason moves so far:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Signing Cobie Durant<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Signing Jalen Thompson<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Signing Otito Ogbonnia<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Re-signing Sam Williams<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Trading for pass rusher Rashan Gary<\/span><\/span><\/strong> from the Green Bay Packers<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    However, several roster holes remain. A projected 2026 mock draft<\/strong> suggests how Dallas could continue rebuilding its roster.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Cowboys 2026 Mock Draft: Filling Remaining Needs<\/h1>\n

    Round 1 \u2013 Pick No. 12<\/h2>\n

    Jermod McCoy<\/span><\/span> \u2013 CB, Tennessee Volunteers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Even after signing Cobie Durant, Dallas still needs a long-term elite cornerback.<\/p>\n

    McCoy could be the best cornerback in the 2026 draft class<\/strong>. The 6-foot-1 defensive back offers:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Smooth footwork and fluid hips<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Excellent ball skills<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Strong coverage instincts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Across two seasons at Tennessee, he recorded:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        16 pass breakups<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        6 interceptions<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Although he missed the most recent season due to a torn ACL, his upside remains extremely high.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Round 1 \u2013 Second Pick<\/h2>\n

        Keldric Faulk<\/span><\/span> \u2013 EDGE, Auburn Tigers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

        Dallas doubles down on defense by selecting a young pass rusher.<\/p>\n

        Faulk is only 20 years old<\/strong>, making him one of the youngest prospects in the class. While his sack totals aren\u2019t huge (10 sacks in three seasons), he is known more as a disruptive defensive presence<\/strong> than a pure sack specialist.<\/p>\n

        Strengths include:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Versatility along the defensive line<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Strong run defense and gap discipline<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Leadership and locker-room presence<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          He could develop into a foundational defensive piece.<\/p>\n

          \n

          Round 3<\/h2>\n

          Brian Parker II<\/span><\/span> \u2013 OT, Duke Blue Devils<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

          The Cowboys add offensive line depth with Parker.<\/p>\n

          The 6-foot-5, 309-pound lineman<\/strong> brings valuable versatility. While he played tackle in college, some scouts believe he could transition inside to:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Guard<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Center<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            His strengths include:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              Strong, physical hands<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Good mobility for his size<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Ability to play multiple positions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              That flexibility makes him a valuable mid-round addition.<\/p>\n

              \n

              Round 4<\/h2>\n

              \"Will<\/p>\n

              Ted Hurst<\/span><\/span> \u2013 WR, Georgia State Panthers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

              Dallas already has star receivers CeeDee Lamb<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and George Pickens<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, but adding depth at the position could make the offense even more dangerous.<\/p>\n

              Hurst is described as a high-upside playmaker<\/strong> from a smaller program. His style is often compared to Pickens thanks to:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                Physical play style<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Highlight-reel catches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Strong vertical ability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                While he may not immediately see heavy snaps, he could become a long-term weapon.<\/p>\n

                \n

                Round 5<\/h2>\n

                Keyshaun Elliott<\/span><\/span> \u2013 LB, Arizona State Sun Devils<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

                Elliott brings effort, leadership, and football IQ.<\/p>\n

                Over four college seasons, he recorded:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  300+ tackles<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Nearly 30 tackles for loss<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  11.5 sacks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  10 pass breakups<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  While he may lack elite athleticism, he profiles as a high-effort rotational linebacker<\/strong> who could contribute on defense and special teams.<\/p>\n

                  \n

                  Additional Late-Round Picks<\/h1>\n

                  Dallas also adds depth in the trenches later in the draft:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    Round 5, Pick 177: Parker Brailsford<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 IOL<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Round 5, Pick 180: J.C. Davis<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 OT<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Round 7, Pick 218: Nadame Tucker<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 EDGE<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \n

                    Big Picture for Dallas<\/h1>\n

                    \"Cowboys<\/p>\n

                    If Jerry Jones<\/strong> follows a similar approach, the Cowboys\u2019 strategy would focus on:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. \n

                      Strengthening the secondary<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    2. \n

                      Adding pass-rush depth<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    3. \n

                      Reinforcing the offensive line<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    4. \n

                      Building long-term depth at skill positions<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Combined with current stars like CeeDee Lamb<\/strong> and new defensive additions such as Rashan Gary<\/strong>, this approach could help Dallas remain competitive in the National Football League<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                      \n

                      \u2705 Bottom line:<\/strong>
                      The Cowboys may not have made splashy free-agency moves, but a smart draft could fill key roster gaps and set up Dallas for sustained success over the next several seasons. \ud83c\udfc8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                      <\/div>\n
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                      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
                      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      The Dallas Cowboys have been active but relatively quiet during the early stages of NFL free agency. While owner Jerry Jones hasn\u2019t made a blockbuster move yet,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":165380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-165379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 The Dallas Cowboys\u2019 Latest 7-Round Mock Draft Just Got a Major Shake-Up. 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