Cowboys' 2026 NFL draft order gets major boost after Week 18 loss

The Dallas Cowboys fell to the New York Giants in Week 18, which benefited their position in the 2026 NFL draft.

The Dallas Cowboys logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys dropped the 2025-26 season finale to the division rival New York Giants, but it was not all bad news for the team entering the NFL offseason.

While the Cowboys finished with a losing record and missed the postseason for a second straight year, the team improved its draft position. Dallas moved their pick from No. 14 to No. 12 entering the afternoon slate of games.

But the good news for the NFL draft continued, with the Green Bay Packers falling to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, which bumped the Packers' pick to No. 20 overall.

MORE: Rapid reactions from Dallas Cowboys' embarrassing Week 18 loss to Giants

That means the Cowboys will now have two top-20 picks that they can use to add some youth and talent to the roster moving into the future.

The Dallas Cowboys logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

If the Cowboys decide to package their two first-round picks in a trade, the team could potentially leap into the top five, which would give Jerry Jones an opportunity to land an elite prospect.

Of course, keeping both picks and double-dipping on the defensive side of the ball would be a wiser move for the team, especially with how poorly the unit has played throughout the season.

A full look at the current 2026 NFL Draft order as the Cowboys prepare for the offseason can be seen below, via Tankathon.

MORE: 2 winners & 3 losers from Cowboys’ flat Week 18 loss to Giants

Updated 2026 NFL Draft order following Cowboys' Week 18 loss

A sign sits beside the 2026 NFL Draft Countdown Clock outside of Acrisure Stadium | Ethan Morrison / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. Tennessee Titans
3. New York Jets
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. New York Giants
6. Washington Commanders
7. Cleveland Browns
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Kansas City Chiefs
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. New York Jets (via Colts)
16. Detroit Lions
17. Baltimore Ravens
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Buffalo Bills
24. Los Angeles Rams
25. Philadelphia Eagles
26. San Francisco 49ers
27. Houston Texans
28. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
29. Chicago Bears
30. New England Patriots
31. Denver Broncos
32. Seattle Seahawks

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.

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