Cowboys Insider Highlights Dream Scenario in New 2026 Mock Draft

We're three weeks from the 2026 NFL draft, and the Dallas Cowboys hope to land multiple impact players with their two picks in Round 1.

They're most likely going to target defenders with each selection, even with head coach Brian Schottenheimer saying offense could be on the table.

In a new mock draft from Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys not only stick to defense, but they luck out with Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. being on the board at No. 12.

Should that be the case, this would be one of the easiest decisions for the front office.

Round 1, Pick No. 12: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Miami Hurricanes defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. against the Indiana Hoosiers. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bain doesn't have ideal measurables, which is why there's a chance he could slide outside of the top 10. Even the Cowboys might have bypassed him in the past, but Christian Parker is emphasizing football character first, and that makes Bain a perfect fit.

"Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was talking about how rare it is to find an edge rusher who could chase the quarterback and drop back into coverage. It's something they want in Christian Parker's scheme. They get one of the best options with Bain, whose power and bend ability is enough to ease concerns about his shorter arms. This would be a huge win for the Cowboys," Hoyt wrote.

During his final season with the Hurricanes, Bain had 54 tackles and nine sacks.

Round 1, Pick No. 20: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell celebrates a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Jerry Jones admitted they undervalued the slot position when Jourdan Lewis left last year. Without him, they struggled mightily, which is why Hoyt believes they should take Clemson's Avieon Terrell at No. 20.

"The Cowboys really missed Jourdan Lewis last season. With Terrell, they find his replacement. This also would allow them to keep DaRon Bland outside — a goal, according to Schottenheimer," Hoyt wrote.

"I'm not doing trades in this mock draft. If the board looked like this, and a team called wanting to move up, I could see the Cowboys moving back and acquiring more draft capital. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, as well as Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood were also a consideration here."

Trading down would be a great move here as well, especially since the Cowboys don't have any picks in Round 2. Stockpiling more capital is never a bad idea, especially with so many other players on the board who fit their needs.

—Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI—