Cowboys post-free agency 7-round mock draft
With the large portion of free agency in the books, most of the attention is turning toward the NFL draft. While we can expect a few signings and possible a few trades to trickle in over the next few weeks, most teams are now focused on drafting.
After a rare busy week from the Dallas Cowboys in week one of free agency, the front office is hoping to fill holes heading into the draft so the team can take the “best player available” approach. For the most part, the front office has done a nice job of that.
Trading for Rashan Gary gave the Cowboys a high-floor player at the edge position that should immediately upgrade their run defense and be a nice complement pass rusher that can align at different spots. The Cowboys also signed Cobie Durant late last week, that checked the corner box off the list for the Cowboys, not forcing them to pick a cornerback in the first round. Dallas also added a true starting safety in Jalen Thompson that should wear multiple hats in Christian Parker’s defense, with the ability to play in the slot, as a deep safety, and in the box. The Cowboys made some nice depth signings in P.J. Locke and Otito Ogbonnia as well, before trading off Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas due to the lack of scheme fit.
With the team still looking at adding a veteran linebacker before the draft, we have a decent idea of what the Cowboys’ needs are leading into the draft, making this a perfect time for a new Cowboys’ seven-round mock draft. Let’s dive in.
In this mock draft scenario, we will be using the PFF mock draft simulator to add some realism to our mock draft. Before we get started let’s review how the first 11 picks went ahead of the Cowboys.
- LV – Fernando Mendoza
- NYJ – Arvell Reese
- AZ – Francis Mauigoa
- TEN – David Bailey
- NYG – Jeremiah Love
- CLE – Monroe Freeling
- WAS – Sonny Styles
- NO – Carnell Tate
- KC – Mansoor Delane
- CIN – Caleb Downs
- MIA – Makai Lemon
Round 1, 12th Overall
Best available: Rueben Bain Jr., Jermod McCoy, Spencer Fano, Kenyon Sadiq
The Pick: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
There has been more talk over the last week that Rueben Bain Jr. could fall out of the top 10 in this draft class for whatever reason (short arms I guess?). With Washington loading up on edge rushers in free agency, their focus has shifted to linebacker, defensive back, and offensive weapons. Kansas City lost a ton of secondary pieces and will likely be looking to restock their secondary. With team needs changing over the last week, the odds of one of Reuben Bain, David Bailey, Caleb Downs, or Mansoor Delane falling to 12 has grown by a bit. Luckily for Dallas in this scenario they land one of the best players in the draft.
In Christian Parker’s new-look defense, it’s obvious he’s looking for versatile defenders that can play multiple roles. Rueben Bain fits that perfectly, he just has short arms. Bain is a tenacious pass rusher and run defender, that despite having below average arm length, still wins with his hands, power, and technique as a pass rusher and run defender.
While the Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary, their inability to generate pass rush is still an issue heading into the draft. Gary is a well-known run defender, but his pass rush win rate and high quality pressure metrics put him in the bottom half of the league for edge’s. Bain is an instant impact defender on the defensive line and has the versatility to play up-and-down the line in even or odd front schemes. He is also working closely with Cowboys’ pass rush specialist BT Jordan this offseason in his preparation for the NFL draft.
Round 1, 20th Overall
Best available: Aveion Terrell, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Keldric Faulk, Ahkeem Mesidor
The Pick: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
In a perfect world, the Cowboys would love for Georgia linebacker CJ Allen to be available here, but he goes 15th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Allen off the board, the Cowboys get one heck of consolation prize in Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.
Terrell, brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, was one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC over the last few seasons. Terrell, like a lot of the Clemson defenders, had an up-and-down 2025 for the Tigers, but his skillset is NFL ready. While he lacks the ideal measurements at the position, Terrell is a sticky cover corner that is feisty against the run and competitive at the catch point. Terrell’s ability to play both inside and out, as well as his scheme versatility, makes him an ideal fit in Christian Parker’s defense, checking a lot of the boxes Parker looks for in his defensive backs.
Round 3, 92nd Overall
Best available: Jaishawn Barham, LT Overton, Daylen Everett, Zakee Wheatley
The Pick: Jaishawn Barham, LB/EDGE, Michigan
One of the first players that comes to mind when watching Jaishawn Barham’s 2025 tape is Eagles’ edge Nolan Smith. Barham’s 2025 tape is littered with impressive play on the edge, but most of his snaps at Michigan have come as an off-the-ball linebacker, which makes him another intriguing fit for Christian Parker.
While Barham is not your typical MIKE linebacker, his ability to split time on the edge as a pass rusher and tenacious run defender, paired with his ability to play off-the-ball make him a perfect fit in Parker’s heavy 3-4 scheme he plans on deploying in Dallas. Barham does not fix the Cowboys hole at inside linebacker, but his ability to rush the passer, while playing with tenacity, athleticism, and take on skills at linebacker would be a fun fit in Dallas.
Round 4, 112th Overall
Best available: Keyshaun Elliott, Brennen Thompson, Bud Clark, Anthony Lucas
The Pick: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
The theme of this offseason (straight from Jerry Jones mouth) is investing in assets on the defense. After checking a box at edge, defensive back, utility edge/linebacker, the Cowboys go back to the defensive well with Keyshaun Elliott in round four.
Elliott is still flying a bit under the radar, but in terms of physical inside linebackers, there are few better in this class. Elliott’s hair-on-fire play-style is much needed in Dallas, and while he’s a force against the run, his effectiveness as a blitzer and glimpses in coverage show a player that can be a three-down starter in the NFL. Elliott’s football character and leadership cannot be talked about enough when discussing him with people around the league and college football.
Round 5, 152nd Overall
Best available: Caden Curry, Devon Marshall, Taurean York, Le’Veon Moss
The Pick: Caden Curry, DL, Ohio State
After trading Osa Odighzuwa and Solomon Thomas during the first week of free agency, the Cowboys will be looking for versatile defensive lineman who can fill the void. It’s tough to find a more versatile player in college football over the 2025 season than Ohio State’s Caden Curry.
Despite his lack of ideal athletic traits at the position, Curry was one of Ohio State’s most effective defensive lineman in 2025 (11 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 66 tackles, 14.7% pass rush win rate). While there are very few “wow” wins on tape, Curry plays with an impressive relentlessness as a pass rusher and run defender and was effective at multiple positions for the Buckeyes in 2025. Curry primarily played on the edge, but played every position on the defensive line in some capacity in 2025. His ability to lineup and get the job done at 9-tech, 5-tech, 4i, 3-tech, and the 1 and 0-tech would give Parker and defensive line coach Marcus Dixon a lot of different options.
Round 5, 177th Overall:
Best available: Jeff Caldwell, Drew Shelton, Aiden Fisher, Quintavious Hutchins
The Pick: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
Finally! An offensive player. Realistically, the Cowboys could go this entire draft without taking an offensive player and it would be fine, but at this point in the draft and after addressing edge, cornerback, linebacker, and defensive line, the Cowboys can take a gamble on a freak athlete that could potential make the roster as a depth receiver.
Caldwell ran a 4.31 and posted a 42” vertical and 11’2” broad jump at the combine at 6-foot-5, 216-lbs. While the Cowboys are in a great spot at wide receiver in 2026, the uncertainty surrounding George Pickens’ long-term future in Dallas could have the Cowboys take a gamble on a wide receiver on day three that could battle for a roster spot in year one, and potentially take on a bigger role in year two, like Ryan Flournoy.
Round 5, 180th Overall
Best available: Aamil Wagner, Aiden Fisher, Cade Klubnik, J’Mari Taylor
The Pick: Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
After reworking Terence Steele’s contract heading into free agency, the Cowboys will likely have him starting at right tackle for the next two years, unless someone can unseat him. The Cowboys tried to do just that last year with Nathan Thomas, but it did not pan out.
Notre Dame offensive tackle Aamil Wagner is an intriguing developmental option at right tackle. Wagner still needs to fill out his frame and add some strength, but his physical traits coming into the league are worth betting on. Notre Dame has done an excellent job of putting quality offensive lineman into the NFL, and Wagner has more than enough draft able traits that the Cowboys should consider taking a chance on day three.
Round 7, 218th Overall
Best available: Isaiah Nwokobia, Skyler Gill-Howard, Oscar Delp, Desmond Reid
The Pick: Isaiah Nwokobia, S, SMU
The Cowboys invested a ton in the safety position in free agency, signing Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, but in this deep safety class, they may look to add another body to the room.
Isaiah Nwokobia is an interesting day three safety prospect that was extremely productive at SMU over the course of his career. Nwokobia had a down year for his standards in 2025, after going back to school instead of declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, but when you take a look at his 2024 and 2023 tape, it’s east to see why many analyst thought he could have been a potential day two pick in last year’s draft. With former SMU defensvie coordinator/safeties coach Scott Symons now on the defensive coaching staff, the fit for Nwokobia in Dallas makes a ton of sense. The former SMU safety split time between the slot, playing deep, and playing in the box for the Mustangs and his versatility on defense and ability to impact special teams provides a lot of value, late on day three.
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