2026 NFL Mock Draft: 6 prospects to watch as Cowboys predicted to finish under .500 again
The Dallas Cowboys have closed the book on their draft process for 2025, even as they work the next phase of free agency. The club is already looking into which veterans might fill their remaining holes, for the right price, now that the compensatory pick window is closed.
That doesn't mean the draft industrial complex is done with the Cowboys, though. On the contrary, there's still plenty of projection happening in the world of 2026 mock drafts. Don't know whose declaring yet? No problem. Not sure how teams will finished? Use projections.
Those actually do a pretty good job of declaring where the prevailing sentiment is for next season's outlook. The Cowboys are predicted to only improve incrementally from last year's 7-10 finish. 2026 mock drafts, at least the ones out currently, are predicting the Cowboys to once again miss the playoffs.
Dropping them in the middle of the first round means they'll sit on the outskirts of first-round grade prospects. So who is projected to be in their wheelhouse where biggest need crosses year-ahead rankings? Six names come up the most when scanning the wires, across eight mock drafts. Here's what they all had to say.
CBS Sports - 14. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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Dallas had all the Ashton Jeanty buzz months ago, but Jeanty's stock rose too high for the Cowboys. Jerry gets his chance here for a billboard talent on offense. Love enters the year as RB1 with a nice blend of speed and power and the ability to take over a game, hit the home run and make plays as a receiver.
Bleacher Report - 15. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan
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While the Cowboys spent a third-round pick on Shavon Revel Jr. over the weekend, the defense could still use further help at cornerback.
Trevon Diggs missed the majority of 2023 with a torn ACL and reinjured the same knee this past season. DaRon Bland also dealt with injuries in 2024 and is about to enter a contract year. On top of that, the defense needs someone to cover the slot after Jourdan Lewis left for Jacksonville during free agency.
Michigan's Jyaire Hill gives Dallas a corner who has experience on the outside and could lineup at nickel, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
"Has explosive movement skills and the fluid athleticism and change-of-direction ability to come down and cover slot receivers," Draft Buzz said of its No. 1 corner heading into the summer.
Sportsnaut - 16. Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
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It could be a dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys. Anthony Hill Jr. earned first-team All-American honors as a 19-year-old last season, living up to the hype he generated coming out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. The 6-foot-3 linebacker can do it all, including coming off the edge and dropping back in coverage, which could pair beautifully with Micah Parsons on the Cowboys' defense.
Newsweek - 14. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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DraftWire - 11 - Dallas Cowboys - WR Antonio Williams - Clemson
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USA Today - 12. Dallas Cowboys – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
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Whether it's closing in on quarterbacks as a blitzer, thumping in the run game or dropping back in coverage, Hill has a preternatural sense for finding the ball. The 6-3, 237-pound dynamo would be a scintillating figure on the second level of the Cowboys' defense, and Jerry Jones likely would be willing to shrug off questions of positional value more so than many other general managers.
Sporting News - 18. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-5, 325 pounds)
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The Cowboys should be in the market for a disruptive tackle, and Banks has special appeal as a big inside pass rusher.
Pro Football Network - 12) Dallas Cowboys: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
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When you watch Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, and others on the Georgia defense in 2024, there's a specific player who always stands on tape: Linebacker No. 3, C.J. Allen. Allen's production flies under the radar, but his tape is rock-solid, and his LB1 case is strong.
At 6'1″, 235 pounds, Allen is uniquely long and lean, and was a commander for the Bulldogs in just his true sophomore season. He's a keen gap processor with explosive sideline-to-sideline range and torrid closing speed, and a unique playmaking gene in coverage.
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