Cowboys sitting on two first-round picks, what’s the plan?

It’s that time once again, NFL Draft season.

Personally, it’s one of my favorite times of the year, before the NFL hype dies down until training camp in August, so let’s enjoy it while it’s here.

It’s been a hell of a past year for the Dallas Cowboys and their fans, as the usual media circus has been in full effect.

From trading for George Pickens, to now-stalled long-term extension discussions, to trading future Hall of Famer Micah Parsons and flipping some of the draft capital for Quinnen Williams, all while underperforming during the season with a top offense and abysmal defense following the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland (rest in peace).

To say it’s been a roller coaster to cover and to be a fan of America’s Team is an understatement. But, as usual with the NFL Draft here, it’s time to have some optimism that “this year will be our year.”

The Cowboys hold the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the first round, while the rest of the NFC East includes the Giants (No. 5 & No. 10), Commanders (No. 7) and Eagles (No. 23), all of which I’ll also dive into in this article.

Revisiting my Cowboys mocks 

In the past, I mocked T Tyler Guyton to Dallas in 2024, stating, “As much as I love the Powers-Johnson pick, I see the front office addressing the left tackle position first…That is the biggest issue with reaching and hoping a first-round pick displays his full potential in his career, let alone year one. He’ll need to be coached up once he walks into the building.”

That proved to be pretty accurate from the standpoint of Guyton needing time to develop, and for some reason, fans are already out on him after being told he is indeed a project. I still have confidence that, if he stays healthy, he can anchor Dak Prescott’s blindside.

Last season, I mocked WR Tetairoa McMillan, CB Will Johnson, or TE Tyler Warren to Dallas at No. 12 overall.

Unfortunately, “Tet” was drafted to Carolina a few spots ahead, and Dallas surprised many by selecting G Tyler Booker out of Alabama.

I didn’t think there was a chance they would go offensive lineman, but it turns out they made the right choice, as early signs point to Booker being a Pro Bowler, and potentially an All-Pro down the line.

Potential fits for Dallas

This year’s draft is an interesting one, especially given Dallas’ draft position and team needs. It’s likely their top targets will be off the board by the time they’re on the clock.

Before diving into the details, the top players I believe would be perfect fits at No. 12, with at least a slight chance of being available, are Ohio State’s LB/S duo of Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, along with LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

What’s comical about the NFL Draft, though, is there’s a strong possibility all of those players are already off the board.

That leads to another point: several prominent analysts, such as Mel Kiper and Peter Schrager, are predicting Dallas could trade up to select Styles or Downs.

I don’t see a scenario where Jerry Jones and company make that kind of bold move. It’s more likely they would trade down if they don’t fall in love with a player at No. 12.

In Kiper’s scenario, Dallas would trade both first-round picks to Cleveland for the No. 6 selection to take Styles, if he were to fall past the Giants first selection, while also receiving No. 39 in the second round.

That kind of gamble just doesn’t align with the Cowboys’ front office track record, even though I do believe those players will live up to the hype.

Nonetheless, here is my breakdown of each player:

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6’5”, 240 pounds)

Early in the draft cycle, Styles likely could have fallen outside of the top 10, but after an NFL Combine that turned heads, with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a linebacker-high 43.5-inch vertical, it’s evident he is a must-select talent.

The former Buckeye is a prototypical green-dot middle linebacker who can command a defense from day one.

On film, he may not always jump out with flashy plays, but he is as well-rounded and polished as it gets.

Styles is a sure tackler, even in the open field. He can go sideline to sideline with the best of them, fill gaps in the run game and hold his own when dropping back in coverage.

It wouldn’t be difficult for him to be an upgrade over Kenneth Murray as Dallas’ MLB in 2025, especially from an IQ standpoint, as Styles has been compared to All-Pro linebackers Fred Warner and Patrick Willis.

Styles is the perfect fit for a Cowboys defense that desperately needs help at the second level. The former national champion has the ability to change the unit overnight.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (5’11”, 200 pounds)

Another elite-IQ player who processes offenses as quickly as anyone in this NFL Draft class.

Downs has been viewed as a top pro prospect since his high school days, where he was the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022.

He’s a physical safety that no receiver or running back wants to see coming downhill, while also possessing all the intangibles you could want at the position.

The NFL rarely drafts safeties high in the first round, which has caused players like Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James to slide in their respective drafts.

Will that happen again? It’s doubtful, given how teams around the league have spoken about Downs as a generational talent.

One factor that may make teams wary, though, is that he was medically flagged for a torn meniscus and a degenerative ACL this spring.

How much teams weigh that is uncertain, but if he were to fall into Dallas’ lap, there likely wouldn’t be any hesitation.

Downs would immediately help a struggling secondary, overseeing the defense from the back end, a player you’d imagine new defensive coordinator Christian Parker would love to develop into an All-Pro.

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6’, 190 pounds)

The one-year LSU standout, after spending three seasons at Virginia Tech, is this year’s top cornerback prospect.

Like the other prospects mentioned, Delane is among the most polished at his position.

He would come into Dallas as a true No. 1 corner alongside DaRon Bland, who is still trying to find his footing again after a few injuries.

Christian Parker wants, and needs, more talent on defense, and Delane would instantly take away one side of the field from opposing offenses.

Delane recorded eight career interceptions and 27 passes defended over his four-year college career. He fits into any scheme, whether it’s press-man, man coverage or zone, thanks to his versatility, instincts and discipline.

If there is a weakness, it would be covering speed receivers across the field on drags and over routes, where he hasn’t been as strong. But if that’s the biggest concern, teams can feel confident in selecting Delane.

Whoever ends up calling his name will be getting a future franchise No. 1 cornerback.

Players more likely to be selected at No. 12 & No. 20

As we currently stand, it’s a possibility that all three of the Cowboys’ dream selections will be off the board. So, if they decide to stay put rather than trade up, where do they go?

Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr. would be another dream selection, but that’s exactly what it is, a dream.

One of the top pass rushers in this draft, Bain has been criticized for his short arm length, something teams tend to value heavily when evaluating edge rushers. Still, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he drops that far.

Another pass rusher who has intrigued Dallas, based on recent buzz, is Keldric Faulk.

The Auburn product has great size at 6 ‘6”, 275 pounds, but after a disappointing 2025 season, his draft stock has slipped. He was once viewed as a consensus top-10 pick.

His 11-sack season in 2024 had teams very interested, but that production dropped to just five sacks this past season, making him look more like a project than an immediate impact player.

Both Jerry and Stephen Jones have publicly said they do not want another high-round pick who needs time to develop. Instead, they want a polished player ready to contribute to a deep playoff run.

Still, as things stand at the time of writing, if their top targets are off the board, Faulk appears to be a strong possibility.

At No. 20, if Dallas goes pass rusher with its first pick, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood or Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman could be the targets.

In my opinion, Hood is the second-best cornerback in this draft, especially with uncertainty surrounding his teammate Jermod McCoy’s health.

Again, Dallas does not want a project or someone who isn’t ready to contribute immediately, which could push McCoy off their board.

Some may think No. 20 is too high for Hood, but aside from tackling concerns, he is an aggressive coverage defender, something the Cowboys need.

As for Thieneman, his draft position could depend on where Caleb Downs is selected.

He recorded six interceptions as a freshman at Purdue and has continued to show exceptional ball skills during his time at Oregon.

Thieneman is versatile, capable of playing deep, stepping up to make plays and even coming into the box when needed.

There would be a drop-off from Downs, but Thieneman would still be a Day 1 starter in Dallas.

Looking at other possibilities, I don’t see Dallas reaching for a linebacker if they go edge rusher with their first pick.

Names like C.J. Allen (Georgia), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) are projected as late first- or second-round picks.

If Dallas falls in love with one of them, it would make sense, especially with the need to solidify the position alongside DeMarvion Overshown.

Not having a second-round pick this year certainly hurts, especially with needs across the defense outside of the interior line.

However, acquiring a third-round pick in the Osa Odighizuwa trade with San Francisco was a smart move, allowing the team to add talent beyond the defensive line while moving on from an expensive contract.

They could use that pick, along with others, to move back into the second round and target one of their guys.

All in all, signs are beginning to point toward some type of trade, whether moving up or down. Even the Chiefs’ GM recently noted that a high number of trades is expected on Day 1.

What decisions will Jerry Jones and the Cowboys make for the future?

The Rest of the NFC East

New York Giants (No. 5 & No. 10 overall)

Wow, what a weekend that shook up the draft.

The Giants traded disgruntled defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick, straight up. 

First off, the Bengals are comically bad in how they operate, all while having one of the most elite quarterback–wide receiver duos of this generation.

On the other hand, the Giants are making moves that are setting themselves up to become a young powerhouse, if they can nail their picks.

New York, obviously, has a lot of needs, but I think they burn their rival by selecting Sonny Styles here.

New head coach John Harbaugh would get his green-dot linebacker, pairing him with Brian Burns and Tremaine Edmunds to make their second level elite.

That leaves the question of what they want to do with their second pick, just five spots later.

Do they continue to strengthen the defense, or add another weapon for Jaxson Dart, with Malik Nabers returning from an ACL injury?

My guess would be Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

As you’ll read, I don’t think Ohio State’s Carnell Tate will be available by the time New York is back on the clock, so Tyson would be the likely option.

Outside of an injury-riddled past, Tyson is a well-rounded pass catcher. He was a true downfield threat in college and showed the ability to win jump balls.

Lining up on the opposite side of Nabers would make for a potential top-five receiver duo, if both can stay healthy.

Washington Commanders (No. 7 overall)

Many mock drafts have the Commanders going defense to help Dan Quinn, but I think Quinn allows new offensive coordinator David Blough to add some firepower.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate could join Terry McLaurin on the outside, easing some of the pressure on Jayden Daniels in year three.

The former Buckeye is regarded as the safer option between him and Jordyn Tyson due to health concerns.

Ohio State has a phenomenal track record of producing elite wide receivers, and Tate looks like the next in line to have a strong NFL career.

Philadelphia Eagles (No. 23 overall)

Another NFC East squad had its draft shaken up before Roger Goodell got things underway on Thursday night.

On Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it’s likely A.J. Brown will be traded to the New England Patriots, likely after June 1.

Losing your No. 1 receiver obviously changes how Howie Roseman operates in this year’s draft.

Originally, I had the Eagles selecting Alabama offensive tackle Kayden Proctor.

The Eagles always seem to luck into blue-chip prospects falling farther than expected, turning them into Pro Bowlers, recent examples include Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean.

This year should be no different.

With concerns surrounding health, age and potential retirement along the offensive line, with Cam Jurgens, Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia continues to prepare for the future with another Crimson Tide product.

Standing at 6’7”, 375 pounds, Proctor is a tank. Whether he moves inside to right guard in place of Tyler Steen or waits for his opportunity, he has the tools to be a franchise piece for years to come.

He is a natural left tackle, where Jordan Mailata currently plays, but if the Eagles go with the best player available, Proctor helps solidify the offensive line and sustain their elite running attack for years to come.

But with this new development, I think a receiver is now in the cards. Names such as KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), and Denzel Boston (Washington) are players likely to be drafted in the 20s range.

The Eagles will need someone to pair with DeVonta Smith on the outside, but is adding a playmaker more of a priority than shoring up Jalen Hurts’ protection? We’ll find out soon.

Final Thoughts

Once again, NFL Draft week is one of my favorite times of the year, with all the speculation, analyzing soon-to-be stars, and the overall vibe the draft brings each and every year.

As for the Cowboys, the Giants gaining another top-10 selection certainly changes things.

If Jim Harbaugh decides to go one offense and one defense (Cincinnati likely would have gone defense), it’s possible a name like Caleb Downs or Mansoor Delane drops a few spots lower than predicted.

There are also insider reports that New Orleans (No. 8) is targeting a wide receiver, while Kansas City (No. 9) could be thinking similarly, with Andy Reid also interested in addressing the offensive line.

So, with those small bits of information, could the Cowboys land one of the top prospects while staying put at No. 12?

With just days to go, the conversations and speculation will only heat up, how will the chips fall?

For more NFL content, follow me on Twitter @MontaltoJared, on TikTok @JarSportsTakes, and on YouTube @PickSwapMedia.