The Dallas Cowboys have stumbled out of the gate in the 2025 NFL season, limping to a 1-2-1 record through their first four games. While Dak Prescott’s offense has shown flashes of brilliance, erupting for 40 points in two games, the defense has been a glaring liability, unable to slow down opposing offenses. With the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, the Cowboys are poised to address their defensive woes head-on, leveraging their draft capital to rebuild a unit that can dominate. In our latest mock draft, Dallas makes a bold statement, dedicating three of their first four picks to defensive playmakers who could redefine their identity. Here’s how the Cowboys plan to fortify their defense and add a spark to their backfield in this strategic four-round blueprint.
Round 1, Pick 1: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The loss of Micah Parsons has left a gaping hole in Dallas’ pass rush, and the Cowboys waste no time addressing it with their first overall pick. Enter Keldric Faulk, a towering 6-foot-6, 285-pound edge rusher from Auburn who’s quickly becoming a darling of draft scouts. Faulk is a raw but electrifying talent, blending jaw-dropping athleticism with the strength to bulldoze offensive linemen. His ability to disrupt passing plays is still developing, but his dominance against the run already makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. With Parsons gone, Faulk represents the Cowboys’ new cornerstone on the edge—a player with the potential to become a game-wrecking force for years to come.
Round 1, Pick 2 (via Green Bay Packers): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Cowboys’ linebacker corps has been a weak link, especially with DeMarvion Overshown sidelined by injury. While Overshown’s return should provide a boost, his injury history underscores the need for more depth and dynamism at the position. That’s where Sonny Styles, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker from Ohio State, comes in. A former safety, Styles brings a rare blend of size, speed, and instincts to the second level. His 2024 stat line—100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and six sacks—proves he’s a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who can disrupt both the run and pass. Styles is the perfect complement to Overshown, giving Dallas a versatile, hard-hitting linebacker duo to anchor their defense.
Round 2: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
In the second round, the Cowboys target the secondary, snagging Arizona’s Genesis Smith, a safety who’s skyrocketing up draft boards. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Smith combines ideal size with blazing speed, making him a natural fit as a center-field safety. His range and ball skills could be the antidote to the deep passes that have tormented Dallas’ defense this season. Smith’s ability to read plays and close gaps in coverage will add a new dimension to the Cowboys’ secondary, transforming it from a liability into a strength. With Smith patrolling the back end, quarterbacks will think twice before testing Dallas deep.
Round 4: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
While the Cowboys’ primary focus is on defense, they can’t ignore the opportunity to bolster their backfield. With Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love projected as a first-round pick in 2026, Dallas turns to his teammate, Jadarian Price, to add depth and explosiveness to their running game. Price, who racked up 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a No. 2 back last season, has taken his game to another level in 2025, piling up 273 yards and six touchdowns on just 40 carries. His efficiency and big-play ability make him an ideal complement to a potential re-signed Javonte Williams, creating a dynamic committee approach in the backfield. If Price declares for the draft, he could be a steal in the fourth round, giving the Cowboys a versatile weapon to balance their offense.
This four-round draft haul signals a clear shift in priorities for Dallas: build a defense that can dominate and a backfield that can keep defenses honest. Keldric Faulk brings the edge-rushing prowess to replace Parsons, Sonny Styles adds athleticism and versatility at linebacker, and Genesis Smith shores up the secondary with his elite range. Meanwhile, Jadarian Price provides a spark in the running game, ensuring the offense remains multidimensional. If the Cowboys execute this blueprint, they could transform their defense into a unit that strikes fear into opponents, setting the stage for a return to contention in 2026.