Recent history shows Cowboys can acquire instant impact player with the 12th pick

"The Dallas Cowboys' season officially came to an end on Sunday afternoon. While you never root for losses, the Cowboys' 34-17 loss to the New York Giants actually helped them in the long run. With the loss, Dallas moved up to 12th in the 2026 NFL Draft order, marking the second straight season the Cowboys will hold the 12th overall pick. As we saw on Sunday, the Cowboys have plenty of needs to address this offseason, particularly on the defensive side of the ball."

"You could make an argument that, outside of defensive tackle, if the Cowboys want to be competitive next season, they'll need to acquire a starting-caliber defender at every other defensive position group. Thankfully for Dallas, recent history has shown that players selected 12th overall have shown an ability to make an immediate impact on their respective teams. Here are all the players selected with the 12th overall pick since 2012."

"In the last 14 NFL drafts, half of the players selected with the 12th overall pick have made at least one Pro Bowl in their NFL career. Four of those seven have been defensive players, something the Cowboys will almost certainly be looking at selecting with their first selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Of the other seven who have not earned that honor, all but two (Ruggs III, Hayden) have been significant contributors in the league since being drafted, showing"

The Dallas Cowboys finished the season with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants, which moved Dallas up to the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This marks the second consecutive season the Cowboys hold the No. 12 pick. The roster presents numerous offseason needs, especially on defense. Outside of defensive tackle, the Cowboys likely need starting-caliber defenders at every other defensive position group to remain competitive. Players historically selected at No. 12 have often contributed immediately. In the last 14 drafts, half of the No. 12 selections have earned at least one Pro Bowl, and most non-Pro-Bowl selections became significant contributors.

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