![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0239-1024x576.jpeg\" "\\"Cowboys")
<\/p>\nMy 2026 Cowboys defensive draft guide: top defenders, team needs, and how Dallas should use picks 12 and 20 to rebuild a defense that gave up a historic amount of points.<\/p>\n
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The 2025 Cowboys Defense Was Historic<\/p>\n
Man, watching the 2025 Cowboys defense was, well, it was something. Let\u2019s be real, giving up 500+ points in a season is rough<\/a>. <\/p>\n The amount of points given up was the most in franchise history, and it didn\u2019t feel like a fluke. It felt like a unit missing playmakers, identity, and answers. <\/p>\n That\u2019s why I\u2019m genuinely excited, and a little nervous, about the 2026 NFL Draft. <\/p>\n Dallas will enter the draft in the offseason with the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the first round, and no more picks until Round 4. That is a major gap, and if the Cowboys are going to fix this defense, they have to get the picks right early. <\/p>\n So I went straight to the data. Well, as much as a Cowboys fan with too much caffeine and too much free time can call data, and pulled defensive rankings from the five biggest draft boards:<\/p>\n I averaged them together so we could see who the true top defensive prospects are, minus the noise.<\/p>\n The 2026 Consensus Top 10 Defensive Players<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the defensive players shake out on my draft board once you blend all five sources: <\/p>\n Caleb Downs\u2014Safety (2.46) What I Saw When I Watched the Cowboys Defense<\/p>\n The Cowboys need help on all three levels of the defense, so the following are based on draft ranking and need.<\/p>\n 1. Safety Must Be Fixed<\/p>\n Safety was a recurring problem all season. Can we all agree Donovan Wilson was terrible<\/a>? I want someone who commands the back end, makes plays in coverage, and tackles like it matters. <\/p>\n That\u2019s why I think Caleb Downs at No.1 jumps off the consensus board for me. If he\u2019s there at No.12, I\u2019ll be cheering loud enough that the neighbors think the house is on fire. <\/p>\n 2. Dallas Needs a True EDGE Rusher<\/p>\n Donovan Ezieruaku had a good rookie year<\/a>, but we all know pressure wins games. This is not a theory; it is a fact. <\/p>\n Dallas needs more than gadget pressure packages, they need a full assault from the ends. Rueben Bain Jr. at No.2 overall consensus gives me hope after watching him in the College Football Playoffs. <\/p>\n If he\u2019s available at either pick and Downs is gone, I don\u2019t even blink. Accept that gift.<\/p>\n 3. A Linebacker With Range<\/p>\n This is where I think it gets fun. The Cowboys don\u2019t just need bodies at linebacker, they need someone who can play all 17 games and run sideline to sideline, cover over the middle, and bring some attitude. <\/p>\n Arvell Reese<\/a> at No.4 on this board is exactly the type of player I want to pair with a healthy DeMarvion Overshown.<\/p>\n 4. Secondary Depth<\/p>\n We all watched the disaster of cornerback play in 2025. The one that was burned every other play and seemed to give up when the game got tough. <\/p>\n![\"Caleb](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0240-1024x683.webp.webp\" "\\"Cowboys")
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\nRueben Bain Jr.\u2014EDGE (3.06)
\nPeter Woods\u2014DT (5.80)
\nArvell Reese\u2014LB\/Edge (6.36)
\nMansoor Delane\u2014CB (6.40)
\nKendrick Faulk\u2014EDGE (7.60)
\nDavid Bailey\u2014EDGE (9.60)
\nMikail Kamara\u2014EDGE (10.40)
\nCashius Howell\u2014EDGE (10.40)
\nAvieon Terrell\u2014CB (10.60)<\/p>\n![\"Rueben](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0241-1024x683.jpeg\" "\\"Cowboys")
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