Cowboys’ bold predictions in 2026 NFL Draft

Will the Dallas Cowboys be active with draft day trades? Owner Jerry Jones is keeping the pot stirred. It should be interesting, and here are the Cowboys’ bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the reasons the Cowboys are the subject of trade rumors is their allotment of picks. They have eight selections, and two are in the first round.

Would the Cowboys be willing to trade one of those to get a guy they believe could change their defense? Stay tuned.

Cowboys will trade their No. 12 overall pick

Which one of those picks they deal will likely be influenced by what happens at the top of the draft. The Cowboys reportedly have their eyes on edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami. And the recent bad news doesn’t change that longing, according to a post on X by Clarence Hill Jr.

“The Reuben Bain situation is the media creating a narrative and story when there isn’t one. The car accident happened years ago. No team has called it a red flag. The family is not looking for attention.”

But the key to everything is whether Bain lasts long enough for the Cowboys to make a trade. It doesn’t make sense for the Cowboys to trade both first-round picks to move up. There’s no player on the board, including Bain, who is worth that move.

The Cowboys’ defense needs too much help. They need two players. If they can get a great one and a very good one, that’s the ticket.

So Bain needs to slip past the Jets at No. 2 and the Titans at No. 4. That means if the Giants don’t take him at No. 5, which is unlikely, the Cowboys could trade into the No. 6 slot with the Browns.

Now, what if Bain goes early? Do the Cowboys still make a move and try to get safety Caleb Downs? It’s not as likely. The Cowboys would probably stand pat at No. 12.

But there’s a pretty good chance Bain slides. And that means Jerry will be on the cell phone, chatting it up with the Browns. He said he’s open to the idea, according to dallascowboys.com.

“I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” Jones said. “Absolutely. We’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. Now that has an on-the-board aspect to it, but it’s very doable.

“You should — when you’ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations. It’s one thing to sit here right now. It’s another thing to sit and look at it three hours into the draft and see what you got there. So all of that is a possibility. This is an obvious statement, but nothing — no amount of skill, no amount of knowledge — can beat having a lot of draft capital, having a lot of picks. That’ll win most of the time.”

Cowboys won’t draft a cornerback in Round 1

What? Every mock draft has them getting one at No. 12 or No. 20. But in the business of bold predictions, you have to play it through to the end.

So, follow it this way. If the Cowboys trade pick No. 12 to move up, it will be for an edge rusher. If they manage to keep No. 20 despite the trade, there’s a good chance the premier cornerbacks, Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane, will be off the board.

Many mockers have the Cowboys grabbing Colton Hood at No. 20. But in this bold prediction, the Cowboys see something they like better. Remember, this wouldn’t be picking a different position over McCoy or Delane. It’s comparing to Hood to what is left on the board.

And that’s where safeties Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) get interesting. Thieneman brings sharp play, according to NFL.com.

“Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed, and alignment versatility,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts. He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.’’

Meanwhile, McNeil-Warren has the right look, according to NFL.com.

“Long, downhill safety capable of bolstering a team’s run defense and playing enforcer over the middle,” Zierlein wrote. “He anticipates well in coverage and is quick to close on receivers, but will need to be protected by scheme to prevent speed mismatches. He’s urgent in run support and has a feel for slipping blocks/meeting runners early in the carry.”

These fits drive the Cowboys into Round 3 for a cornerback.