Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks Tracker: Updated List of 2026 Selections, Next Pick Predictions

Despite being the NFL’s biggest brand, the Dallas Cowboys haven’t made much of a dent on the league standings in recent years. The star on the helmet still shines bright in the ratings, but on the field, the light has flickered dangerously close to going out. Dallas missed the postseason for the second straight year in 2025, seeing its playoff hopes crumble as injuries, poor performance, and a husk-like defense reared their ugly heads. For a franchise that demands Super Bowls, the current trajectory is a slow bleed—one that only a masterful draft class can stop.

But here is the silver lining: the Cowboys found some answers at key positions during head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first season in charge. Dak Prescott re-established himself as one of the league’s best passers after an injury-plagued 2024 season, while George Pickens made himself indispensable, tallying more than 1,400 receiving yards. If the offense can maintain that rhythm, the focus shifts entirely to fixing a defense that was historically bad.

Still, that defense was dire, taking the ignominious title of football’s worst. Reinforcements could be on the way—the Cowboys hold two first-round selections in the 2026 draft. Only time will tell if they’ll stop the rot, however. This is your definitive Dallas Cowboys draft picks tracker, updated with every selection and expert predictions for what comes next.

Complete 2026 Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks List

As of the latest NFL trade deadlines and compensatory pick allocations, the Cowboys own a robust arsenal of draft capital. The crown jewels are those two Round 1 selections, which give Jerry Jones and the front office rare flexibility to either double down on elite talent or trade up for a generational prospect. Here is the full updated list:

• Round 1, Pick 12 (own selection)
• Round 1, Pick 24 (acquired via trade with the Chicago Bears in the 2025 Micah Parsons deal)
• Round 2, Pick 44 (own selection)
• Round 3, Pick 76 (own selection)
• Round 4, Pick 108 (own selection)
• Round 5, Pick 140 (own selection)
• Round 5, Pick 158 (compensatory pick for losing Tony Pollard in free agency)
• Round 6, Pick 180 (own selection)
• Round 7, Pick 215 (own selection)

Key Note: The Cowboys traded their 2026 third-round pick to the New England Patriots in the 2024 draft to move up for a defensive end, but they recouped a fifth-round compensatory selection. The two first-round picks are the story here—no other team in the NFC East has that kind of firepower at the top of the board.

Expert Analysis: Why the 2026 Draft Is a Make-or-Break Moment

The 2025 season exposed a fundamental truth: the Cowboys’ defense was not just bad—it was historically inept. They allowed the most yards per game (387.4) and the most points per game (29.8) in the entire league. The pass rush, once the identity of the team, vanished after Micah Parsons was traded to Chicago. The secondary, led by a declining Trevon Diggs, was torched weekly. Brian Schottenheimer cannot fix this with scheme alone; he needs blue-chip talent.

Here is the brutal reality: the Cowboys have two first-round picks, but they also have glaring holes at defensive tackle, cornerback, and offensive line depth. The 2026 draft class is loaded with elite defensive linemen, which aligns perfectly with Dallas’s most pressing need. Expect the front office to target a game-wrecking interior pass rusher with one of their first-round selections.

Player to Watch: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham is a plug-and-play disruptor who can collapse pockets from the interior. If he falls to Pick 12, the Cowboys should sprint to the podium. If he is gone, look for James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee) or Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) as fallback options.

The second first-round pick (No. 24) offers a different opportunity. By this point, the top-tier talent will be off the board, but the Cowboys can target a falling prospect or trade back to acquire more picks. Given their depth issues, trading down for an extra second-rounder might be the smarter play. But with Jerry Jones, expect a splashy move—he loves the spotlight of the first round.

Next Pick Predictions: What the Cowboys Should Do

The Cowboys hold the No. 12 and No. 24 selections in the first round. Here are my predictions for how the first two days of the draft will unfold, based on roster needs, draft trends, and insider buzz:

Pick 1.12: Defensive Tackle or Cornerback

The defensive line is a wasteland. Osa Odighizuwa is a solid rotational piece, but he is not a star. The Cowboys need a three-down interior force. If Mason Graham is gone, expect them to pivot to Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)—a massive 340-pound anchor who eats double teams and frees up linebackers. Alternatively, if they fall in love with a corner like Will Johnson, they could go that route, but the interior is the bigger disaster.

Pick 1.24: Best Available Offensive Lineman or Edge Rusher

At No. 24, the Cowboys should look at the offensive line. Tyron Smith is gone, and Tyler Smith is better at guard than tackle. Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT, Texas) or Joe Alt (OT, Notre Dame) could be available if they slide due to positional value. If not, grab an edge rusher like JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State) to rebuild the pass rush rotation.

Pick 2.44: Wide Receiver or Linebacker

George Pickens is a star, but the rest of the receiving corps is thin. CeeDee Lamb is still elite, but he needs help. A bigger-bodied receiver like Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) or Xavier Worthy (Texas) would add a vertical threat. Linebacker is also a sneaky need—Leighton Vander Esch is injury-prone, and the unit lacks speed.

Bold Prediction: The Cowboys will trade one of their first-round picks to move back into the early second round, acquiring an additional third-rounder. This would give them three picks in the top 100, which is critical for rebuilding depth.

Strong Conclusion: Can the Cowboys Stop the Rot?

The 2026 draft is the most consequential for the Dallas Cowboys in a decade. With two first-round picks, they have the ammunition to inject elite talent into a defense that was the worst in football. But draft capital alone does not guarantee success. The front office must resist the urge to chase flashy offensive skill players and instead focus on the trenches, where games are won and lost.

Dak Prescott and George Pickens provide a potent offensive core, but they cannot outscore opponents if the defense gives up 30 points every week. The Cowboys need a Mason Graham or a Kenneth Grant to anchor the defensive line, a cornerback who can lock down No. 1 receivers, and depth across the board. If they nail these picks, they can return to playoff contention in 2026. If they whiff, the rot will continue, and the biggest brand in sports will remain a punchline.

Keep this Dallas Cowboys draft picks tracker bookmarked as the draft approaches. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance, and every selection will be scrutinized under the bright lights of Jerry World. The time for talk is over—it is time to draft winners.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.