Feb. 17, 2026, 2:01 p.m. CT
Strategies can be plentiful when it comes to the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys have a rare draft setup that includes two first-round picks, but no Day 2 selections, leading to multiple strategy ideas. Some will say to stay put and pick at No. 12 and No. 20, get two stud defenders and improve the Dallas defense.
Some will say No. 12 is a valuable trade asset, and the Cowboys need more draft picks. Others will ask for a great player at 12 and then add picks by trading back from 20 because prospects from 20-40 are similar enough to get the same level of prospect at any point in those 20 picks. Some draft analysts might even believe Dallas should trade back from both 12 and 20.
What the Dallas front office must do is mock up these scenarios repeatedly to see what gives them the best value. This article will mock-draft each scenario once, so readers can see the value available from each option and understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Picking at 12 and 20: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU, and Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami(FL)
In this scenario, Dallas maintains their position with two firsts and with no Day-2 picks. Jerry Jones better have signed multiple free agents who can start and play wall.
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Still, they land a top cornerback in Mansoor Delane and a ready-to-produce edge rusher, Akheem Mesidor, for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to work with. Delane is the draft class’ best performer from 2025. He wins because he has limited weaknesses in all areas, and has great hand usage when he is in press and at the catch point. He adds to that ability with terrific feet to match receivers and his mental ability and mentality are also top-notch.
He’d be paired with Mesidor, who is, immediately out the box, a flat-out pass-rush weapon. He has an advanced pass-rush move set just like Donovan Ezeiruaku coming out. Pairing these two together for the future will be good for the defense, but Ezeiruaku should take a big leap in his second season, while Mesidor can have an impact as a rookie.
Trade 1.12, 5.150 for 1.15 and 3.77, Keep 1.20
This one is a close match, the Cowboys needing to sweeten the pot a bit by adding in a Day 3 selection.
Edge Cashius Howell, CB Brandon Cisse, LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Dallas might not get the best edge and corner combo, but they have two players who could become the best at their positions with a few years of development. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell can start immediately, even if only as a pass rush specialist, thanks to his unbelievable move set. He has a plan, a counter, and a motor too.
Brandon Cisse out of South Carolina has the talent and versatility to be the best corner in the 2026 class. He is 6-foot and 190 pounds with possibly the best atheticism at the position in the draft, and he plays the run with excellent temperament. The team adds a starting linebacker to pair with DeMarvion Overshown with Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez. He might lack top-end traits like elite size and athleticism, but his instincts are terrific, and Rodriguez is a defensive playmaker. He had 13 forced fumbles in his college career, seven in 2025. Not every prospect needs to be the ideal size and have ideal traits to make an impact in the NFL.
Keep 1.12, trade pick 1.20, 5.150 for picks 1.28 and 3.69:
Another move down that allows the Cowboys to stay in the first round and pick up a third-round pick.
LB Sonny Styles, S Dillon Thieneman, CB Chandler Rivers
Dallas lands one of the better safety options for the first time in this scenario and pairs him with possibly the best linebacker prospect. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles is a large prospect with rare athleticism and a unique strength in coverage, given his background as a safety. He would secure the middle of the field with Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman at the safety spot.
Thieneman is a productive secondary weapon with the size and ability to play deep safety, nickel corner, box safety, or even as a robber. These positions are seen as less valuable, but Dallas is desperate for upgrades there. They also add a nickel corner to replace Jourdan Lewis, with Duke’s Chandler Rivers, who will improve both the run and pass defense. Versatile playmakers in the middle of the field make it difficult for opposing offenses to find mismatches to exploit.
Trade 1.12, 4.112 for 1.21, 2.53, and 3.99, trade 1.20 for 1.26, 3.91, and 7.220
Here the Cowboys move off of both of their selections.
LB CJ Allen, CB Colton Hood, Edge Derrick Moore, S Zakee Wheatley, RB Kaytron Allen
The top-end quality isn’t the same on paper, but the Cowboys’ defense gets a lot of darts with high potential. The linebacker and corner can start Day 1. Georgia’s CJ Allen is a middle linebacker who will shore up the run defense, with great defensive tackles protecting him. Allen has a strong athletic background as a two-way high school football player who also competed in basketball and track. He is a true middle linebacker who brings a thump behind his tackles. He called the defense for the Bulldogs while leading the team in tackles, tackles for a loss, and forced fumbles.
Tennessee corner Colton Hood fits what the Cowboys like physically at the position, and he might have had the second-best season in college football last year. They add a large edge with upside against the run and pass in Michigan’s Derrick Moore. He can help set the edge right away against the run and has the tools to become a quality pass rusher.
Dallas gets a true free safety with sideline-to-sideline coverage ability for the back end by drafting Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley. The Cowboys haven’t had a player with his skill at the position in many years, and he would immediately help if Dallas is going to play more zone to prevent big plays. This draft even adds an offensive option with an all-around running back in Kaytron Allen.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast