The Dallas Cowboys focused heavily on a defensive rebuild in the 2026 NFL Draft under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker
Here is the breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 draft picks with their strengths, weaknesses, and pro player comparisons.
Day two is here, and a lot of talent is still on the board. Let’s see who remains at the end of the night.
Rank
19 Jermod McCoy Tennessee CB 6’1″ 188
25 Colton Hood Tennessee CB 6’0″ 193
28 Kayden McDonald Ohio State DL1T 6’2″ 326
29 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo S 6’3″ 201
30 Denzel Boston Washington WR 6’4″ 212
32 Caleb Lomu Utah OT 6’6″ 313
36 Lee Hunter Texas Tech DL1T 6’3″ 318
37 Brandon Cisse South Carolina CB 6’0″ 189
38 Cashius Howell Texas A&M EDGE 6’2″ 253
39 C.J. Allen Georgia OLB 6’1″ 230
40 Christen Miller Georgia DL1T 6’4″ 321
41 Chase Bisontis Texas A&M OG 6’5″ 315
42 Gabe Jacas Illinois EDGE 6’4″ 260
43 Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech ILB 6’1″ 231
44 D’Angelo Ponds Indiana CBN 5’9″ 182
45 R Mason Thomas Oklahoma EDGE 6’2″ 241
46 Keionte Scott Miami (FL) CB 5’11” 193
47 Emmanuel Pregnon Oregon OG 6’4″ 314
48 Avieon Terrell Clemson CBN 5’11” 186
49 Chris Brazzell II Tennessee WR 6’4″ 198
52 Anthony Hill Jr. Texas ILB 6’2″ 238
54 Zion Young Missouri EDGE 6’6″ 262
55 Eli Stowers Vanderbilt TE 6’4″ 239
56 Treydan Stukes Arizona S 6’1″ 190
57 Jake Golday Cincinnati OLB 6’4″ 239
58 Max Klare Ohio State TE 6’5″ 246
59 Chris Bell Louisville WR 6’2″ 222
60 Germie Bernard Alabama WR 6’1″ 206
61 Domonique Orange Iowa State DL1T 6’2″ 322
62 Davison Igbinosun Ohio State CB 6’2″ 189
63 Caleb Tiernan Northwestern OT 6’8″ 323
64 A.J. Haulcy LSU S 6’0″ 215
65 Ted Hurst Georgia State WR 6’4″ 206
66 Derrick Moore Michigan EDGE 6’4″ 255
67 Elijah Sarratt Indiana WR 6’2″ 210
68 Antonio Williams Clemson WR 5’11” 187
69 Gennings Dunker Iowa OG 6’5″ 319
70 Keyron Crawford Auburn EDGE 6’4″ 253
71 Josiah Trotter Missouri ILB 6’2″ 237
72 Malachi Fields Notre Dame WR 6’4″ 218
73 Tacario Davis Washington CB 6’4″ 194
74 Mike Washington Jr. Arkansas RB 6’1″ 223
75 Darrell Jackson Jr. Florida State DL3T 6’6″ 315
76 Malik Muhammad Texas CB 6’0″ 182
77 Romello Height Texas Tech EDGE 6’3″ 239
78 Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State EDGE 6’6″ 256
79 Kyle Louis Pittsburgh OLB 6’0″ 220
80 Keith Abney II Arizona State CBN 5’10” 187
81 De’Zhaun Stribling Ole Miss WR 6’2″ 207
82 Gracen Halton Oklahoma DL3T 6’3″ 293
83 Sam Hecht Kansas State OC 6’4″ 303
84 Jalon Kilgore South Carolina S 6’1″ 210
85 Connor Lew Auburn OC 6’4″ 310
86 Jalen Farmer Kentucky OG 6’5″ 312
87 Drew Allar Penn State QB 6’5″ 228
88 Jake Slaughter Florida OC 6’5″ 303
89 Bryce Lance North Dakota State WR 6’3″ 204
90 Oscar Delp Georgia TE 6’5″ 245
91 Bud Clark TCU S 6’0 185
92 Joshua Josephs Tennessee EDGE 6’3″ 242
93 Logan Jones Iowa OC 6’3″ 299
94 Jaishawn Barham Michigan EDGE 6’4″ 240
95 Deion Burks Oklahoma WRS 5’10” 180
96 Justin Joly NC State TE 6’3″ 241
97 Daylen Everette Georgia CB 6’1″ 196
98 Skyler Bell Connecticut WR 6’0″ 192
99 Chandler Rivers Duke CBN 5’10” 185
100 Kamari Ramsey USC S 6’0″ 202
101 Jonah Coleman Washington RB 5’8″ 220
102 Rayshaun Benny Michigan DL3T 6’3″ 298
103 Emmett Johnson Nebraska RB 5’10” 202
104 Will Lee III Texas A&M CB 6’2″ 190
105 Keyshaun Elliott Arizona State ILB 6’2″ 231
106 V.J. Payne Kansas State S 6’3″ 206
107 Sam Roush Stanford TE 6’6″ 267
108 Genesis Smith Arizona State S 6’2″ 202
109 Zakee Wheatley Penn State S 6’3″ 208
110 Markel Bell Miami (FL) OT 6’9″ 346
111 Carson Beck Miami (FL) QB 6’5″ 233
A big part of spring football is identifying players on the verge of making breakthroughs. Among Big Ten players on the cusp are Illinois tight end Kaden Feagin,…
— Read on www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/here-are-18-football-players-to-watch-next-season-in-the-big-ten-conference/616-ddcf2138-1c6a-4448-9373-624aa2561e0d
1. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana As crazy as the rumors have been for this years draft. It would easily become my favorite draft of…
NFL Mock Draft 3.0 | Final
The NFL Draft is three days away! As I put a bow on all my draft research for the year, I wanted to share my draft profiles one last time and post my…
Player Profiles & Top 100 Stack | 2026 NFL Draft
While the 2026 NFL Draft cycle has been dominated by blue-chip headliners, a formidable group of “under-the-radar” defensive prospects is beginning to demand the national spotlight. This cohort is defined by specialized traits that NFL front offices crave: from the “VICE-like” technical discipline of Ohio State’s Caden Curry and the towering, gap-erasing frame of Ole Miss’s Zxavian Harris, to the elite interior twitch of Penn State’s Zane Durant. Complementing this front-line power are the relentless motor of Iowa’s Max Llewellyn and the fluid, “island-capable” coverage skills of Texas A&M’s Will Lee III. These players may not have started the cycle as household names. Still, their combination of high-floor consistency and unique physical tools makes them the essential “missing pieces” for teams looking to bolster their defensive identity on Day 2 of the draft.
Defensive Line
Caden Curry, Ohio State: A high-motor, “hair-on-fire” player who broke out in 2025.
Strengths: Elite effort, functional strength at the point of attack, and special teams value.
Weakness: Historically short arms and stiff hips that limit his “bend” around the edge.
NFL Comparison: George Karlaftis
Ideal Teams: Patriots, Ravens, Lions, Steelers
Max Llewellyn, Iowa: The prototypical Iowa power-end with a massive 6’5″ frame.
Strengths: Technical hand usage and disciplined run containment.
Weakness: Lacked elite “twitch” in 2026 Combine testing (4.81s 40-yard dash).
NFL Comparison: Maxx Crosby (Lite)
Ideal Teams: Packers, Bills, Vikings, Jaguars
Zxavian Harris Ole Miss: A true mountain of a man at 6’7″, 320+ lbs.
Strengths: Rare size/explosiveness combo that resets the line of scrimmage.
Weakness: Character concerns (off-field history) and pad level consistency due to his height.
NFL Comparison: Jordan Davis
Ideal Teams: Cowboys, Eagles, Browns, Chargers
Zane Durant Penn State: An undersized but hyper-athletic interior disruptor.
Strengths: Elite first-step quickness (4.75s 40-yard dash).
Weakness: Can be washed out by double teams; purely a “one-gap” penetrator.
NFL Comparison: Ed Oliver
Ideal Teams: Dolphins, Rams, Texans, Seahawks
Linebackers
Eric Gentry USC: A physical “unicorn” standing 6’6″ with an elite wingspan.
Strengths: Erases passing lanes in zone coverage; forced 5 fumbles in 2025.
Weakness: Struggles to stack-and-shed blocks in the box; needs to add significant bulk.
NFL Comparison: Isaiah Simmons
Ideal Teams: Broncos, Seahawks, Jets
Red Murdock Buffalo: A downhill enforcer and tone-setter.
Strengths: Violent tackler and turnover machine (FBS record for forced fumbles).
Weakness: Limited lateral range and struggles in man-to-man coverage.
NFL Comparison: T.J. Edwards
Ideal Teams: Patriots, Steelers, Bears
Jack Kelly, BYU: A multi-tool athlete with high-end pass-rush production (31.5 career sacks).
Strengths: Explosive interior blitzer and versatile enough to play the edge.
Weakness: Inconsistent motor, and occasionally takes poor pursuit angles.
NFL Comparison: Kyle Van Noy
Ideal Teams: Ravens, Dolphins, Patriots
Secondary
Will Lee III, Texas A&M: An aggressive, physical corner with elite leaping ability (42″ vertical).
Strengths: High football IQ and excellent awareness of the first-down sticks.
Weakness: Lacks top-end recovery speed and can be “grabby,” leading to penalties.
NFL Comparison: Jaylon Johnson
Ideal Teams: Giants, Colts, 49ers
Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina: A versatile “Big Nickel” who started immediately as a freshman in the SEC.
Strengths: Elite ball skills (tied for SEC lead in INTs) and physical run support.
Weakness: Concerns about man coverage fluidity against vertical speedsters.
NFL Comparison: Jeremy Chinn
Ideal Teams: Texans, Seahawks, Chiefs
Bishop Fitzgerald USC: A dual-threat former QB with high-level route recognition.
Strengths: “Turnover machine” instincts (10 career INTs) and closing speed.
Weakness: Needs work on run-game discipline and “eye hygiene.”
NFL Comparison: Damontae Kazee
Ideal Teams: Steelers, Bucs, Falcons
VJ Payne, Kansas State: A coverage stabilizer and four-year starter.
Strengths: Smart communicator who thrives in split-zone roles.
Weakness: Lacks elite lateral agility; needs to improve lower-body mass to finish tackles through contact.
NFL Comparison: Kamren Curl
Ideal Teams: Rams, Commanders, Raiders
The narrative of the NFL Draft is often dominated by the glamour of the first round, where teams invest heavily in blue-chip prospects expected to become the faces of their franchises. However, the league’s history proves that opening night is merely the starting line, not the finish. Countless legends—from late-round steals like Tom Brady to undrafted stalwarts—have demonstrated that elite talent frequently resides in the later stages of the draft. These players often possess the same physical tools or competitive fire as their first-round counterparts but lack the “perfect” pedigree or immediate polish that early selections offer.
Ultimately, a player’s trajectory is dictated less by when they are called and more by where they land. Success beyond the first round is a delicate alchemy of talent and destination. A player needs to be drafted by a team that possesses a clear, unwavering vision for how to deploy their specific skill set while shielding their developmental gaps. When an organization prioritizes scheme fit over raw consensus rankings, they unlock the potential of “diamonds in the rough,” turning mid-round picks into Pro Bowl cornerstones. The right jersey can transform an overlooked prospect into a superstar.
Here are some second and third-day players who will have long NFL careers.
Quarterback
Carson Beck | Miami (FL)
Age: 23
Schools Attended: 2 (Georgia, Miami)
Strengths: Prototypical build with elite natural accuracy in a clean pocket. High football IQ allows him to make pre-snap adjustments and identify mismatches effectively.
Weaknesses: Struggles significantly when forced out of structure or under pressure. Concerns about maturity and leadership have surfaced, along with a dip in arm strength following a 2024 injury.
NFL Comparison: Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Eli Manning
Ideal Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected to be a late-day 2 pick
Running Backs
Kaytron Allen | Penn State
Age: 22
Schools Attended: 1 (Penn State)
Strengths: Exceptional contact balance and vision; rarely loses yardage. He is a “finisher” who thrives in the second half of games and provides high special-teams utility.
Weaknesses: Lacks “home run” speed and elite explosiveness. Limited creativity in tight quarters and modest upside as a pass catcher/protector.
NFL Comparison: Sammy Morris
Ideal Fits: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft Projected: 4th – 5th Round
Jaydn Ott | Oklahoma
Age: 23
Schools Attended: 2 (Cal, Oklahoma)
Strengths: Elite open-field acceleration and long speed. Reliable pass-catcher who can handle various route trees and maintains good balance through initial contact.
Weaknesses: Lacks the power for consistent between-the-tackles work. Durability is a concern after missing time in consecutive seasons; a high-hipped running style can limit lateral agility.
NFL Comparison: Miles Sanders
Ideal Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Projected: 6th round
These three Big Ten football programs could suffer enough at quarterback to miss the CFP entirely.
— Read on www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/3-big-ten-programs-that-will-miss-the-college-football-playoff-due-to-qb-play-michigan-iowa-penn-state
Schu Box Sports 