The offense is not the problem, as Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens led a unit that was one of the best in the league. However, Jones faces a huge challenge to rebuild the defense after a disastrous 2025.

In this scenario, in recent weeks rumors have grown about a possible Dallas trade to make a splash in the first round. It appears Jerry Jones will be all in trying to find a generational player.

Will the Cowboys make trade in 2026 NFL Draft?

Jerry Jones confirmed that the Dallas Cowboys are considering a big trade during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. “Absolutely. I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things. We’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. Now that has an on-the-board aspect to it, but it’s very doable.”

How many picks do the Cowboys have in the first round of 2026 NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys have two picks in the first round (No. 12 and No. 20). That gives them strong assets to make a trade up into the top 10 to draft a star defensive player or, in a very surprising move, go after running back Jeremiyah Love.

“When you’ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations,” Jones said, via the team’s website. “It’s one thing to sit here right now, it’s another thing to sit and look at it three hours into the draft and see what you got there.

“So all of that is a possibility. This is an obvious statement, but nothing — no amount of skill, no amount of knowledge — can beat having a lot of draft capital, having a lot of picks.”

America’s Team picks

The Dallas Cowboys enter the draft in a unique position, holding the 12th and 20th overall picks to bolster their roster. However, the team will be watching from the sidelines during the second round, having traded that asset to the Jets in the blockbuster deal for Quinnen Williams.

This aggressive move leaves the front office with a top-heavy strategy as they look to maximize their remaining capital:

• 1st round, 12th overall
• 1st round, 20th
• 3rd round, 92nd
• 4th round, 112th
• 5th round, 177th (compensatory)
• 5th round, 180th (compensatory)
• 7th round, 218th

Areas to strengthen for Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones enter this draft with a massive defensive void to fill, specifically the vacancy left by Micah Parsons after his blockbuster trade to Green Bay. To address this, the front office is expected to use their two first-round picks to target high-impact defensive players, with a strong focus on finding a premier edge rusher and a versatile linebacker who can recreate at least some of that lost production.

Reinforcing the secondary also remains a priority as they look to rebuild a unit that must now learn to compete without its perennial All-Pro game-changer.

“My interpretation of the 18th game would be less preseason games. I like that,” he said via nbcsports.com. “I think that’s great for the players — emphasize great for the players. It increases the viability of the financial aspect, more gate and more money for the players as well.”

Additionally, the man in charge of America’s Team made it clear that the move isn’t just financially positive for the players. Greater exposure could also be beneficial for them.

“I think it’s a better application of their careers and talent. less preseason, more playing in games that have the right balance of the financial rewards as well as exposure,” Jones added.

Latest changes in the NFL

The NFL officially expanded the regular season to 17 games in March 2021, marking the first increase in the number of scheduled matchups since 1978. To accommodate this change, the league reduced the preseason to three games and extended the total calendar to 18 weeks, including one bye week for each team.

When do the Cowboys kick off their season?

The Dallas Cowboys are set to kick off their 2026 campaign following the official start of the NFL regular season on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. While the league has confirmed that the defending champion Seattle Seahawks will host the opening game that night, the full schedule—including the specific date, time, and opponent for the Cowboys’ Week 1 matchup—is expected to be released in mid-May.

Jones already knows the Cowboys’ opponents

Speaking in an interview on FOX, Jones openly acknowledged the urgency to fix the defense. “Well, I’ll tell you, I believe we’ve done one thing. We’re figuring out how to stop them. We can’t do anything but go up there. That’s where we address and that’s where we’re putting our energy and our money.”

The Cowboys already possess one of the most dangerous offenses in the league with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens leading the way. That firepower was evident during the 2025 season, when Dallas consistently moved the ball and produced points. However, the defense struggled badly, finishing as one of the worst units in the NFL and often forcing the offense into high-scoring battles.

Cowboys shift focus to defense in Super Bowl push

Because of those struggles, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was dismissed and the Cowboys brought in a bright young mind in Christian Parker as DC. The move signals a philosophical reset, with Dallas aiming to modernize the scheme and generate more consistency.

If the Cowboys manage to reach a top-15 level on defense while the offense maintains the spectacular production, the team’s ceiling rises dramatically. With Prescott operating efficiently and weapons across the field, even an average defensive improvement could translate into several more wins. That balance is exactly what Dallas lacked in recent seasons.

Under that scenario, there is little doubt the Cowboys would become contenders in the NFC East. More importantly, a balanced roster could open the door for an improbable Super Bowl run. The offense is already in place, and now Jerry Jones is betting that a defensive overhaul will finally push Dallas into championship territory.

“Defense wins championships, offense sells tickets. Just get the ball back to Dak Prescott is my new motive. I don’t have to be no superhero. Just go out there and be me. Play 11 as one,” he promised to his new quarterback via Jon Machota.

The Cowboys made a strong push this offseason to address what was their primary weakness. Can they make a major leap next season and reach the Super Bowl?

New faces on the Cowboys’ defense

The Dallas Cowboys have been aggressive this offseason, prioritizing veteran experience and high-impact trades to rebuild a defense that struggled in 2025.

The headline move was the blockbuster trade for pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, giving new Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker a premier edge threat.

To bolster the secondary, Dallas signed safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, while also adding cornerback Cobie Durant on a one-year deal to provide much-needed depth and ball-hawking ability.

Jones also turns to the draft

For the first time since 2008, Jerry Jones‘ Cowboys hold two first-round selections (No. 12 and No. 20, the latter acquired from Green Bay), giving them the elite capital needed to snag defensive superstars like linebacker Sonny Styles or trade up even higher to secure the final pieces of their championship puzzle.

• 1st round, 12th overall
• 1st round, 20th
• 3rd round, 92nd
• 4th round, 112th
• 5th round, 152nd
• 5th round, 177th (compensatory)
• 5th round, 180th (compensatory)
• 7th round, 218th

Durant brings experience to the NFC East

During his last season with the Rams, Cobie Durant proved to be a high-impact playmaker, recording 40 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions—including a pick-six—across 17 regular-season games.

He was even more dominant in the postseason, leading the league with 3 interceptions in just three playoff games. He now joins the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, providing veteran versatility to Christian Parker’s secondary where he is expected to rotate between the outside and nickel packages alongside DaRon Bland.

“What we’ve done on defense, plus what we have set up for the draft, plus what we have coming back from our veteran defensive players that really didn’t play that much last year, injury issues, things like that, gives us a lot of promise,” Jones said to the press.

“When you have the challenges we had last year, there’s no place to go but up on the defensive side of the ball. Had we played a lick of defense last year, we would’ve had ourselves, I think, a real playoff run.”

Cowboys make intriguing offseason moves

This offseason, Dallas has focused on fortifying its defense through a series of tactical additions. By trading for pass rusher Rashan Gary and signing free agents Otito Ogbonnia, Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, P.J. Locke, and Tyrus Wheat, the team has clearly prioritized depth and veteran experience.

Despite some external skepticism regarding the lack of big-name offensive signings, Jones defended the Cowboys’ free agency moves as a calculated strategy to build a more resilient and versatile roster for the upcoming season.

Defensive struggles in 2025

The 2025 season was a defensive nightmare for the Cowboys, who finished as the league’s worst-ranked unit in points allowed. The team surrendered a staggering 30.1 points per game and a league-high 60 touchdowns, setting a new franchise record for futility.

Their secondary was particularly vulnerable, ranking dead last (32nd) in pass defense by giving up 251.5 yards per game, while the rush defense also struggled, allowing 24 rushing touchdowns. This systematic collapse across all levels of the defense led to a disappointing 7-9-1 record and the mid-January firing of coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Departure of a key leader

Although they may be mere speculations, the departure of Micah Parsons shortly before the start of the 2025 season was a hard blow for America’s Team’ defense. One of the best players at his position in the NFL, he left for the Green Bay Packers at the end of August, becoming the protagonist of one of the most significant blockbuster trades in a long time.

Last season, Dak Prescott led an impressive unit alongside George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. However, the defense was one of the worst in the NFL and a key reason to explain why Dallas couldn’t fight for the Super Bowl.

Jones addressed the team’s approach in an interview with AP, expressing satisfaction with the moves the Cowboys have made during the offseason. “I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with the salary cap. I wouldn’t try to revisit or try to redo what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”

Who did the Cowboys sign in free agency?

One of the most notable decisions by Dallas was placing the nonexclusive franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. The Cowboys also brought back running back Javonte Williams on a three-year deal, while making a major defensive addition by trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary. In the secondary, Jerry Jones strengthened the safety position by signing Jalen Thompson to a three-year contract.

The Cowboys also focused heavily on adding depth through a series of one-year deals. Dallas agreed to terms with defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia, defensive end Sam Williams, cornerback Cobie Durant, safety P.J. Locke, quarterback Sam Howell, edge rusher Tyrus Wheat, offensive lineman Matt Hennessy and tight end Princeton Fant.

In addition to those signings, the Cowboys released quarterback Will Grier, while trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers for a third-round pick and sending defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to the Titans in a seventh-round pick swap. The Cowboys also placed second-round tenders on kicker Brandon Aubrey and guard T.J. Bass.

Jones recently addressed speculation about a possible move involving Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, making it clear that, while a deal does not appear imminent, the door is not completely closed. “We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are. So, while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”

The Cowboys’ interest in adding a top defensive player is not surprising given the team’s recent roster changes. Dallas traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season, leaving a major gap in the defense and increasing pressure on the front office to find another star at the position.

Could the Cowboys still trade for Maxx Crosby?

Yes. The Cowboys could trade for Maxx Crosby. However, at the moment, a deal does not seem likely as Jerry Jones is not convinced to make a move. The situation around the player has become really complicated after the failed trade between the Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens, which initially involved two first-round picks before collapsing over a disputed medical evaluation.

Cowboys have been searching for a star pass rusher

The Dallas Cowboys have been heavily involved in multiple trade rumors throughout the offseason while trying to add a defensive star. The team was once believed to be a strong contender to acquire Trey Hendrickson, but that possibility disappeared after the edge rusher signed with the Ravens.

Some reports also indicated that Jones previously offered a package including a first-round pick and a second-round pick for Crosby, though it was not enough to beat Baltimore’s original offer. Now that the Ravens deal has failed, the Cowboys could theoretically pursue Crosby again at a lower price, if the Raiders are willing to reopen trade discussions.

While most of the attention around Dallas has focused on bigger transactions and potential impact players such as George Pickens, the Cowboys have also worked quietly on smaller deals designed to add flexibility, especially to create salary cap space.

That approach became evident again with the latest move confirmed directly by the organization. The Cowboys announced a minor trade that adjusts their draft positioning while also moving a veteran player out of the roster.

Cowboys trade Solomon Thomas to Titans

The Dallas Cowboys confirmed that they have completed a trade with the Tennessee Titans involving defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and late-round draft picks.

According to the official announcement, Dallas received the 2026 seventh-round No. 218 pick from the Titans. In exchange, the Cowboys sent their 2026 seventh-round No. 225 pick along with Solomon Thomas to Tennessee as part of the agreement.

Although the move may not dramatically reshape the roster, it reflects the Cowboys’ continued effort to adjust both their depth chart and their draft positioning. With that extra money available in the salary cap, they keep creating room to possibly make a splash in free agency.

The Cowboys confirmed that, as compensation, they will receive a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for the defensive tackle. Although the decision frees up space in the salary cap, the big question is what Jones will do to boost the pass rush.

Before the 2025 season, the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers and never fully recovered. Even though the team’s ownership tried to get back on track with the arrival of Quinnen Williams, it was not enough.

Cowboys’ moves in free agency

In this scenario, the Dallas Cowboys have tried to respond in 2026 NFL free agency. For that reason, a few days ago Jerry Jones completed a trade with the Packers to acquire defensive lineman Rashan Gary.

By the way, that move caused Gary to reunite with Kenny Clark. Both were teammates on the Packers before Clark was part of the package for Parsons in that blockbuster trade.

However, fans and experts believe that Jones needed another big splash. Although they were in the race to acquire Maxx Crosby, the controversy over the failed physical with the Ravens has caused them to abandon the pursuit of the star player.

In addition, Trey Hendrickson is no longer available after signing a four-year contract with Baltimore. Therefore, if the Cowboys want an edge rusher, the way to get one may be through the draft.

The Cowboys discovered a hidden gem in Aubrey. The former soccer player used the power and accuracy of his leg to become one of the best placekickers in the league—and arguably one of the most reliable players on Dallas’ roster.

However, his initial contract expired after the 2025 season. With free agency approaching, the Cowboys had to make a decision about his future, and it likely was not what Aubrey expected.

Report: Cowboys place second-round tender on Brandon Aubrey

When the 2025 season ended, the Cowboys needed to address the future of several key players. One of them was Aubrey, who exceeded expectations and quickly developed into one of the NFL’s most dependable kickers.

In 2025, Aubrey signed a three-year, $2.695 million contract with Dallas. In the 2026 offseason he became a restricted free agent, and the Cowboys have now taken advantage of that status to secure him for at least one more year.

On Saturday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Cowboys plan to place a second-round tender on Aubrey. The move would give him a base salary of $5.76 million for the 2026 season.

For many fans, Aubrey has been one of the team’s most reliable players in recent years. However, rather than making him the highest-paid player at his position as initially they said, the Cowboys opted for the one-year tender—though the decision includes an important caveat.

The tender allows any NFL team to sign Aubrey to an offer sheet. If the Cowboys choose not to match that offer, they would receive a second-round draft pick in return for the three-time Pro Bowler.

While Aubrey now has his job secured for the 2026 season, the news is not entirely positive for him. Despite earning All-Pro recognition, the kicker did not receive the long-term deal he may have hoped for. Additionally, few teams are likely willing to surrender a second-round pick for a kicker, regardless of his talent.

Aubrey, who has missed only 15 field goals during his three seasons in the NFL, is currently the third-highest-paid kicker in the league behind Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jake Elliott of the Philadelphia Eagles, who earn average annual salaries of $6.4 million and $6 million, respectively.