DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys got a crucial contract break to keep their defense intact, but everyone in the building knows they remain one piece away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. The PFF simulator just dropped its latest Cowboys 2026 NFL Mock Draft after the free agency frenzy, and the results scream urgency. Dallas holds two golden tickets in the first round—picks No. 12 and No. 20—and they are not wasting time. They bypassed popular target Jermod McCoy twice, instead reloading their secondary with Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.
You could almost feel the tension in the air at the Star when the simulator passed on McCoy. Pro Football Focus handed McCoy a 7.50 rating, but Dallas front office simulations aimed differently. Caleb Downs at No. 12 feels like highway robbery. Dallas signed Jalen Thompson in free agency, which seemingly eliminated their need for a safety. But Downs isn’t just a safety; he’s a heat-seeking missile. The Ohio State standout dominates near the line of scrimmage, bringing elite instincts and quick play recognition. His journey from Alabama to winning a national championship at Ohio State prepared him for the intense spotlight of Dallas.
Then comes pick No. 20. Instead of taking the bait on a flashy offensive weapon, Dallas grabbed Avieon Terrell. Following in the footsteps of his older brother A.J. Terrell, Avieon brings a pro-ready pedigree. He lacks massive size, but he acts as a constant catch irritant. Terrell mirrors releases with brutal timing and absolute discipline.
The middle rounds focused purely on trench warfare and depth. Dallas snatched Florida center Jake Slaughter at No. 92. Slaughter brings a massive 6-foot-5, 303-pound frame. He dominated against SEC monsters like Georgia and Texas, diagnosing pressures and keeping his quarterback upright. In the fourth round, Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III fell right into their lap at No. 112. Lee uses his 6-foot-1, 189-pound frame to suffocate receivers, bringing legitimate shutdown tools to the outside.
“Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap… He isn’t the biggest, fastest, or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.”
— Lance Zierlein, NFL Draft Analyst
Dallas isn’t drafting for the future; they are drafting for January 2027. Selecting Downs and Terrell immediately upgrades a secondary that crumbled in high-pressure moments last season. Downs provides the heavy-hitting run support that forces offenses into third-and-long situations. Terrell adds the press-man flexibility required to lock down the elite receivers in the NFC East.
Late-round fliers prove Dallas wants immediate contributors across all phases. Wake Forest halfback Demond Claiborne boasts top-gear speed, though he must cure his fumble issues to stick on the roster. Meanwhile, Iowa’s TJ Hall brings elite run defense grades from the cornerback position. If these picks pan out when Roger Goodell takes the podium in April, the Cowboys transform from playoff hopefuls into a certified brick wall. The front office knows their championship window is closing fast. This draft class represents their final push to surround the offense with a defense that actually chokes out the competition.
