It’s clear that the Dallas Cowboys have suffered painful setbacks year after year-ones their fans have had to endure. Still, they have no choice but to move forward: it has been 30 years since they last won a Super Bowl, and in that span, they haven’t even reached an NFC Championship Game. That goal seems more distant than ever.
At the moment, the Dallas Cowboys are coming off two consecutive seasons without making the playoffs-and not even close. The common denominator has been their defense, which became one of the worst in the league, especially last season when they allowed 511 points, the highest total in the NFL.
This situation was somewhat expected when, just one week before last season began, they traded Micah Parsons-their best defensive player-to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks. To become competitive again, fixing the defense is the priority, and the first step was hiring Christian Parker from the Philadelphia Eagles as their new defensive coordinator.
Cowboys could target a wide receiver in the Draft
While improving the defense remains the top priority, having two first-round picks gives the Dallas Cowboys flexibility to add another weapon to Dak Prescott’s passing attack, which already features standout receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens-but could still use another piece.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports projects that with the No. 20 pick-acquired in the Micah Parsons trade-the Cowboys could land a player who would make their offense even more dangerous:
“Makai Lemon gives them another slot element and allows them to move pieces around like a chessboard, while also providing insurance and a potential exit strategy if CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens become too expensive.”
The USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is one of the top-rated prospects in the draft, along with Carnell Tate, who is unlikely to still be available early, as he is projected to be selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 6 pick.
Even so, the report indicates that with the No. 12 pick, the Dallas Cowboys would select one of the best cornerbacks in the class: Jermod McCoy from the Tennessee Volunteers. Although he missed part of the 2025 season due to an ACL knee injury, he is considered one of the most talented players at his position and could make an immediate impact under Brian Schottenheimer.
