"Dallas will enter the draft in the offseason with the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the first round, and no more picks until Round 4. That is a major gap, and if the Cowboys are going to fix this defense, they have to get the picks right early. So I went straight to the data. Well, as much as a Cowboys fan with too much caffeine and too much free time can call data, and pulled defensive rankings from the five biggest draft boards: I averaged them together so we could see who the true top defensive prospects are, minus the noise."
"The Cowboys need help on all three levels of the defense, so the following are based on draft ranking and need. 1. Safety Must Be Fixed Safety was a recurring problem all season. Can we all agree Donovan Wilson was terrible? I want someone who commands the back end, makes plays in coverage, and tackles like it matters. That's why I think Caleb Downs at No.1 jumps off the consensus board for me. If he's there at No.12, I'll be cheering loud enough that the neighbors think the house is on fire."
"2. Dallas Needs a True EDGE Rusher Donovan Ezieruaku had a good rookie year, but we all know pressure wins games. This is not a theory; it is a fact. Dallas needs more than gadget press"
The 2025 Cowboys defense surrendered over 500 points, the most in franchise history, and exhibited a lack of playmakers, identity, and consistent answers. Dallas enters the 2026 draft with first-round picks No.12 and No.20 and no selections until Round 4, creating urgency to succeed early. Rankings were averaged across five major draft boards to produce a consensus defensive top-10 and reduce noise. The roster needs upgrades at all three defensive levels, with safety identified as a recurring weakness and Donovan Wilson criticized for poor play. Caleb Downs is the preferred safety target at No.12 if available. The Cowboys also require a true edge rusher to generate consistent pressure rather than relying on gadget packages.
Read at Inside The Star
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