The Dallas Cowboys are in full-blown crisis mode. Through the first three games of the season, their defense has been nothing short of a disaster, leaving fans and analysts stunned. The once-feared unit has crumbled, struggling to pressure quarterbacks and collapsing in pass coverage. While some point to the blockbuster trade of Micah Parsons as the root of the problem, the reality is far more complex. The Cowboys’ defensive front lacks game-changing talent, and their secondary is desperate for reinforcements. With Shavon Revel Jr. sidelined, hoping for a miracle recovery, Dallas is turning to the 2026 NFL Draft to rebuild their defense from the ground up.
In a bold mock draft by CBS Sports’ Mike Renner, the Cowboys make a seismic move, doubling down on their defensive line with two first-round picks to address their glaring weaknesses. These selections—a towering edge rusher and a dominant nose tackle—could be the spark Dallas needs to turn their nightmare defense into a force to be reckoned with.
Round 1, Pick 13: Keldric Faulk, Auburn – A Monstrous Edge Presence
With their first pick at No. 13, Dallas targets Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, a physical specimen who stands at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds. Faulk’s rare combination of size, strength, and versatility makes him a perfect fit for a Cowboys defense desperate for an edge rusher to fill the void left by Parsons’ departure. Capable of dominating both outside and inside, Faulk is the kind of player who can disrupt offenses in multiple ways.
“Faulk is one of the most impressive physical specimens in the draft class at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds. He has the kind of inside-outside versatility that everyone is looking for in the NFL. After trading Micah Parsons, the edge need in Dallas has been obvious,” Renner wrote.
With Dante Fowler and Sam Williams set to hit free agency, the Cowboys face a critical decision at defensive end. Faulk, paired with 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, could form a dynamic duo capable of revitalizing Dallas’ pass rush. His ability to overpower tackles and collapse pockets would give the Cowboys a much-needed edge presence, addressing one of their most glaring deficiencies.
Round 1, Pick 30: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State – A Run-Stuffing Behemoth
Dallas doesn’t stop there. At No. 30, acquired via a trade with the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys double down on their defensive line by selecting Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald. At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, McDonald is a brick wall in the trenches, a nose tackle built to clog running lanes and dominate the interior.
Renner praises McDonald’s seamless transition into Ohio State’s defensive front, noting, “McDonald has taken over for Tyleik Williams as the run-stuffer on the Buckeyes defensive front, and it’s been like Williams never left. He overpowered the middle of Texas’ line in a big Week 1 win.”
This is high praise considering Williams was a first-round pick (No. 28 overall) by the Detroit Lions and has already proven his worth in the NFL. McDonald’s ability to anchor the defensive line would address Dallas’ ongoing struggles against the run. With the Mazi Smith experiment failing to deliver and veteran Kenny Clark’s contract having an out in 2026, McDonald offers a chance to get younger, save cap space, and significantly upgrade the interior line.
The Cowboys’ defense is at a crossroads. Their inability to generate sacks and cover passes has exposed a lack of elite talent across the board. While trading Micah Parsons sent shockwaves through the fanbase, simply pointing to his absence oversimplifies the issue. The reality is that Dallas needs a complete overhaul of their defensive front to compete in today’s NFL.
Enter Keldric Faulk and Kayden McDonald—two first-round picks who could redefine the Cowboys’ defense. Faulk’s explosive edge-rushing ability and McDonald’s immovable presence in the middle have the potential to transform Dallas into a defensive powerhouse once again. If these selections pan out, the Cowboys could quickly move past their early-season woes and reestablish themselves as contenders.