2026 NFL Draft: Underrated favorites for Cowboys at each position on defense
The 2026 NFL Draft is no doubt an important one for the Dallas Cowboys, especially in regards to upgrading the defensive side of the ball. Due to how historically bad the defense performed under Matt Eberflus last year, this year’s draft is expected to be a defensive heavy one to hopefully aid Dallas’ new DC Christian Parker in turning things around.
Today, we’re taking a different approach from focusing on the top prospects everyone is talking about and instead share some of our underrated favorites. We believe this is a good exercise to dig a little deeper in the draft to talk about players who may not be receiving the recognition they deserve.
EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn (6’3″, 251)
Keyron Crawford probably isn’t getting the attention he commands in the 2026 EDGE draft class. He’s a twitched-up athlete who plays relentlessly with a nonstop motor. He has the strength/power to hold up against the run and the athletic ability to drop into coverage as well. He is expected to be a mid-round pick and checks nearly all of the boxes Christian Parker looks for in a player at the DE position.
DT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan (6’3″, 298)
Forget for a second he played at Michigan, because Rayshaun Benny is an intriguing defensive tackle prospect who is expected to be a Day 3 selection. He could be an impactful rotational piece with the Cowboys early on as he shown he plays with impressive quickness and powers with an understanding of how to use his long arms to help penetrate gaps. All of this could make him a good fit in Christian Parker’s defensive scheme.
LB Lander Barton, Utah (6’3″, 233)
Familiarize yourself with the name Lander Barton and file it away to memory. He’s definitely someone to keep an eye on for the Cowboys and could be exactly what Christian Parker is looking for at MLB. From his physical stature, athletic ability, versatility, and high-end production Barton checks all the boxes to start as a rookie. He’s a thumper in the run game and uses his length (79 3/4″ wingspan) to disrupt passing lanes in coverage.
CB Chandler Rivers, Duke (5’9″, 185)
Chandler Rivers may be small in stature and undersized by NFL standards, but he plays with an attitude like he’s 10 foot tall and bulletproof. He competes his tail off down after down and is equally effective playing in man or zone. There are a lot of similarities between him and Ja’Quan McMillian, who Christian Parker worked with in Denver.
S Bud Clark, TCU (6’1″, 185)
If you weren’t aware of who Bud Clark was before, you probably are now after he gained national attention due to his play in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He’s a little slender of frame, but that doesn’t seem to hinder him a bit as a run defender or in pass defense. His versatility to play deep, in the box, or the nickel would make him a great fit in Christian Parker’s scheme and he does have the potential to start right away as a rookie.
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