How draft rankings match with Dallas Cowboys needs

It’s hard to believe the 2026 NFL Draft is now only about a month away. The Dallas Cowboys big board and positional rankings should be pretty much set, with maybe just a few adjustments here and there depending on Pro Days and private workouts.

Every team’s rankings will of course vary, but for the most part where each individual prospect ends up getting slotted will be somewhat similar. With that in mind, we thought we’d share how we have the Top 10 players ranked at each position prior to the draft.

QUARTERBACK

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Drew Allar, Penn State
5. Carson Beck, Miami
6. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
7. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
8. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
9. Taylen Green, Arkansas
10. Behren Morton, Texas Tech

With Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, and Sam Howell the Cowboys looks set at QB. And, considering how weak the 2026 QB draft class is, it is highly unlikely they draft one this year, especially one ranked in the Top 10. If they do add a rookie it would probably be an UDFA to bring to camp as an extra arm.

RUNNING BACK

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
3. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
4. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
6. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
7. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
8. Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
9. J’Mari Taylor, Virginia
10. Adam Randall, Clemson

By re-signing Javonte Williams the Cowboys have their RB1, but the depth behind him is questionable at best. Much like the 2026 QB draft class, RB is pretty weak this year as well. Despite that though, Dallas could take a chance at some point on Day 3 on someone who could potentially be the RB2 this season.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Makai Lemon, USC
2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
3. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
4. Denzel Boston, Washington
5. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
7. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
8. Chris Bell, Louisville
9. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
10. Elijah Saratt, Indiana

The Cowboys look pretty set at WR with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Ryan Flournoy. They have, however, met with a few WR prospects so far throughout the draft process, so it wouldn’t be that big a surprise to see them draft one at some point. It’s more likely to be a mid-to-late-round prospect, one ranked in the Top 10 is a possibility.

TIGHT END

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
3. Max Klare, Ohio State
4. Michael Trigg, Baylor
5. Justin Joly, NC State
6. Sam Roush, Stanford
7. Jack Endries, Texas
8. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
9. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
10. Marlin Klein, Michigan

Jake Ferguson is firmly entrenched as the TE1 with Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker backing him up. Both of them are entering the final year of the rookie contracts. This is a deep TE draft class and Dallas could potentially draft one of them at some point, even one ranked in the Top 10.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami
2. Spencer Fano, Utah
3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah
5. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
6. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
7. Blake Miller, Clemson
8. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
9. Austin Barber, Florida
10. Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M

There are some concerns with both Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele, making the OT position something to monitor when the draft gets underway in April. It’s not one of their bigger roster “needs”, but it is a position they could potentially be looking to upgrade if the right player is there when they are on the clock.

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Vega Ioane, Penn State
2. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
3. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
4. Jaylen Farmer, Kentucky
5. Jake Slaughter, Florida
6. Gennings Dunker, Iowa
7. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
8. Sam Hecht, Kansas State
9. Kage Casey, Boise State
10. Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M

The Cowboys tendered T.J. Bass to provide much-needed depth, but lost Brock Hoffman to the Steelers in free agency. Adding depth and a potential starter on the interior of the OL is a possibility, especially if the coaching staff is seriously considering moving Tyler Smith back to LT if Tyler Guyton continues to struggle.

EDGE

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech
3. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
4. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
5. Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami
6. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
7. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
8. TJ Parker, Clemson
9. Zion Young, Missouri
10. Malachi Lawrence, UCF

It would be a pretty big surprise if the Cowboys didn’t draft one of the top-ranked pass rushers and it’s a good possibility it will be with one of their two first-round picks. The only question is which one of these players currently ranked in the Top 10 could they be targeting? It’s anyone’s guess right now.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Peter Woods, Clemson
2. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
3. Caleb Banks, Florida
4. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
5. Chris Miller, Georgia
6. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
7. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
8. Domonique Orange, Ohio State
9. Chris McClellan, Missouri
10. Rayshaun Benny, Michigan

The DT position is without a doubt the strength of the Cowboys defense right now. They look to be set from a starting perspective, but could be looking to add more depth to upgrade the position. Drafting one of these Top 10 ranked players could be in play, but the Jonathan Bullard signing might slow that momentum.

LINEBACKER

1. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
2. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
3. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
4. CJ Allen, Georgia
5. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
6. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
7. Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
8. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
9. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
10. Harold Perkins, LSU

The Cowboys biggest roster “need” right now is at middle linebacker. It’s one position they have failed to address in free agency, making it a top priority when the draft gets underway in April. Unless something changes between now and then, drafting a MLB early is looking more and more like a necessity.

CORNERBACK

1. Mansoor Delane, LSU
2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
4. Colton Hood, Tennessee
5. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
6. D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
7. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
8. Keith Abney II, Arizona State
9. David Igbinson, Ohio State
10. Malik Muhammad, Texas

With the current state of Dallas’ CB position, even with the moves they’ve made in free agency, they could still use another starting caliber player for the upcoming 2026 season and beyond. Because of that, CB is very much in play with one of their two first-round draft picks and at any point after that if not addressed early.

SAFETY

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
4. Kamari Ramsey, USC
5. AJ Haulcy, LSU
6. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
7. Keionte Scott, Miami
8. Genesis Smith, Arizona
9. Bud Clark, TCU
10. VJ Payne, Kansas State

The safety position has already been pretty much overhauled with the additions they’ve made in free agency, but that doesn’t mean the Cowboys are completely done upgrading things there. Whether it’s in the first round or any time after that, drafting one of the Top 10 ranked safeties could still very much be in play.