2026 - 2027 Draft Picks 12 and 20

[CT Dal Fan]

The more I think about it, if the Cowboys can find willing trade partners, I would try to move down from both 12 and 20. Maybe get two picks in the 20's while getting back into the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the process.

Walking out of the first two days of the draft with four players instead of two.

 

[ScotsCowboy]

The more I think about it, if the Cowboys can find willing trade partners, I would try to move down from both 12 and 20. Maybe get two picks in the 20's while getting back into the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the process.

Walking out of the first two days of the draft with four players instead of two.

Agree completely. 4 picks in the top 100 could help this defense out no end.

 

[cristglo]

WE need impact starters not just fill needs with solid players

I agree but who do you see at 12 without a reach? On several Mocks Ive seen Calab drop to 10 in which I would try to go up and get him Some really good players around 15 on a lot of boards. Im sure those boards will change.

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree but who do you see at 12 without a reach? On several Mocks Ive seen Calab drop to 10 in which I would try to go up and get him Some really good players around 15 on a lot of boards. Im sure those boards will change.

Bain, Bailey, Downs, both corners all would be worth that 12th pick. You could also talk me into taking Styles there as well.

 

[My3Sons]

The more I think about it, if the Cowboys can find willing trade partners, I would try to move down from both 12 and 20. Maybe get two picks in the 20's while getting back into the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the process.

Walking out of the first two days of the draft with four players instead of two.

Minus a blue chip player of need dropping to us, I would do this. I like the players available in the top 120 picks of this draft. Frankly, we need a LB, CB, DE, S and potentially a T and RB.

If you could trade both picks to late 1st and get 4 other picks in the top 120. This is a win.

 

[louieville]

...agree with folks who say do not trade down (no 2nd + 3rd round pick is ok if you're two 1st round picks are legit)

the year Texans made power move and got 2 top 5 picks was well worth what they gave up.
(Qb and edge rusher for decade)

our recent history of 2nd/3rd round picks is terrible, what makes folks think they will even make the team past 2yrs...

we still live in old regime when Jimmy turned extra picks into gold
... ain't happen ever since

get 2 defensive studs at #12 and #20 and no one will remember we didn’t have 2nd + 3rd round pick

plus this year draft is not deep, in general the draft talent has been hit or miss

quality is better than quantity

we took D-Ware and Marcus Spears 1st round in 2005 around same spots (#11 and #20)

we have a chance this year for the same results?

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

Spears was average, a disappointment. I expected more from him.

 

[plasticman]

The more I think about it, if the Cowboys can find willing trade partners, I would try to move down from both 12 and 20. Maybe get two picks in the 20's while getting back into the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the process.

Walking out of the first two days of the draft with four players instead of two.

That would be my strategy.

In fact, that's what I did on my last mock draft simulation.

Instead of the 12th and 20th, I got the 16th, 25th, 57th and 61st. that's two 1's and two late 2's.

I drafted:

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

That's four of the top 61 rated prospects, all at a position of need.

 

[ChuckA1]

That would be my strategy.

In fact, that's what I did on my last mock draft simulation.

Instead of the 12th and 20th, I got the 16th, 25th, 57th and 61st. that's two 1's and two late 2's.

I drafted:

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

That's four of the top 61 rated prospects, all at a position of need.

I like your picks. I'd also like Downs, a safety if a trade up could result in that. Then, scoring in FA would be a must.

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

Bains, Reese, Bailey and Downs will be gone when we have the #12 pick. If Styles is there, he must be selected. A special talent. A healthy, faster version of rookie LVE, with DB background and he is a great tackler. He can revolutionize the defense.

If Styles is gone, pick the best CB who is healthy and is not coming off a major injury and one who has been durable and injury free in college. With the 20th pick or a further trade down, either LB, Georgia's Allen or Texas' Hill.

So we would get two instant starters. We need to sign two FA safeties, one CB, and a pass rushing DE.

 

[jaythecowboy]

That would be my strategy.

In fact, that's what I did on my last mock draft simulation.

Instead of the 12th and 20th, I got the 16th, 25th, 57th and 61st. that's two 1's and two late 2's.

I drafted:

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

That's four of the top 61 rated prospects, all at a position of need.

You got a 2nd from moving from 12 to 16? And for 20 to 25? That is a huge overpay. More likely to get two 3rds from that.

 

[plasticman]

You got a 2nd from moving from 12 to 16? And for 20 to 25? That is a huge overpay. More likely to get two 3rds from that.

Well the 57th and 61st are the 25th and 29th picks in the 2nd round.

Plus, I believe I also gave up a 3rd day pick in both cases.

 

[Croomraider]

I absolutely would not trade back! I know we need "lots of guys" but in the history of the NFL Draft those "lots of guys" are only found in the first round. Dallas is also notoriously bad at drafting in the second round.

As of recent, other than Mazi and Taco, we have done really well in the first round. Stay put and draft two starting defensive players and we are a much better team next year.

 

[BREAKONTHRU]

Imagine our 2008 NFL Draft was this years Cowboy pics. Wow. Felix & Tashard added, have Jaydon Blue behind them.

Dallas Cowboys 2008 NFL Draft

1/22 - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas, 5-10 207 4.47
1/25 - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida, 5-10 197 4.38
2/61 - Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M, 6-6 259 4.68
4/122 - Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech, 5-10 215 4.52
5/143 - Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise St., 5-10 192 4.32
6/167 - Erik Walden, OLB, Middle Tennessee State, 6-2 246 4.7

FELIX JONES COWBOYS HIGHLIGHTS

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You got a 2nd from moving from 12 to 16? And for 20 to 25? That is a huge overpay. More likely to get two 3rds from that.

Yeah move back 4 spots might be a 3rd.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I absolutely would not trade back! I know we need "lots of guys" but in the history of the NFL Draft those "lots of guys" are only found in the first round. Dallas is also notoriously bad at drafting in the second round.

As of recent, other than Mazi and Taco, we have done really well in the first round. Stay put and draft two starting defensive players and we are a much better team next year.

Im
Against it as well. People are getting too loose trading down.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Im
Against it as well. People are getting too loose trading down.

So get clever and try and trade Up (get the Defensive 1st Rd graded player, whom Jeremiah is predicting will be gone) and Down for defensive quantity. A possibility is .....

NO Get

- 12th overall
- 20th overall
-178th (rd 5)

We get:
-8th overall
- 42nd (rd 2)
-73rd (rd 3)

Saints are in a Shough 'Show Me' year..... if we can trade them next years 1stRd pick they'd love it, as they will possibly need the Capital for a QB.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So get clever and try and trade Up (get the Defensive 1st Rd graded player, whom Jeremiah is predicting will be gone) and Down for defensive quantity. A possibility is .....

NO Get

- 12th overall
- 20th overall
-178th (rd 5)

We get:
-8th overall
- 42nd (rd 2)
-73rd (rd 3)

Saints are in a Shough 'Show Me' year..... if we can trade them next years 1stRd pick they'd love it, as they will possibly need the Capital for a QB.

I’d prefer that as to trading down but getting two top 20 players is enticing to me.

 

[jaythecowboy]

I absolutely would not trade back! I know we need "lots of guys" but in the history of the NFL Draft those "lots of guys" are only found in the first round. Dallas is also notoriously bad at drafting in the second round.

As of recent, other than Mazi and Taco, we have done really well in the first round. Stay put and draft two starting defensive players and we are a much better team next year.

The issue is if you are dead set on taking defense and majority of the previous picks are defensive players. Do you take a defensive player that isn’t high enough grade for pick 12 or do you take an offensive player? Or do you trade back?

 

[beware_d-ware]

Imagine our 2008 NFL Draft was this years Cowboy pics. Wow. Felix & Tashard added, have Jaydon Blue behind them.

Dallas Cowboys 2008 NFL Draft

1/22 - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas, 5-10 207 4.47
1/25 - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida, 5-10 197 4.38
2/61 - Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M, 6-6 259 4.68
4/122 - Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech, 5-10 215 4.52
5/143 - Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise St., 5-10 192 4.32
6/167 - Erik Walden, OLB, Middle Tennessee State, 6-2 246 4.7

FELIX JONES COWBOYS HIGHLIGHTS

That was actually a pretty good draft. Marty B, Scandrick, and Erik Walden all played 10 years in the league as starters or rotational guys. Jenkins kind of sucked. Fragile Felix had the talent for a lot better career than he did, but JG bulked him up and treated him like he was Zeke.