Dallas Cowboys fans had a ton of questions with just a day before the 2026 NFL Draft, but when the team's brass took the stage on Wednesday, this fan base was left with even more.
For starters, the Cowboys revealed a whole lot about the situation with George Pickens. Somewhat surprisingly, the media was told that Pickens would not be getting a long-term deal from Dallas. Instead, he is expected to play on the franchise tag, even though the deadline to get a long-term deal done is still over two months away.
We also heard plenty about the team's draft strategy heading into Day 1 with a pair of first-round picks. Cowboys vice president and COO Stephen Jones made several notable comments, but one of them in particular should shut down any possibility or rumors of the team doing something massive.
According to beat reporter and writer Clarence Hill Jr., Jones said it is "not possible" for the Cowboys to trade into the top five picks.
The Dallas Cowboys can erase any glimmer of hope in getting 3 specific players
If the Cowboys are, in fact, not able to trade into the top five picks, that erases three players from their draft board.
We're not going to include Fernando Mendoza for obvious reasons.
But, after Mendoza gets taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, it's really anyone's guess as to who's next.
The consensus seems to be, though, that edge rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Arvell Reese (Ohio State), along with running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) are undoubtedly going to be drafted within the top five picks.
A lot can, and will, happen on draft night. However, these three prospects seem to be as sure of a bet to go in the top five picks as anything else happening over the entirety of the draft. That said, it gives the Cowboys a little more clarity on whom they may be able to trade up for, if they so choose.
There is a lot of smoke around the Cleveland Browns taking wide receiver Carnell Tate (Ohio State) at no. 6 overall. So let's say they do that.
The rival Washington Commanders seem primed to go after one of four possible prospects at no. 7, which include linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State), safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State), and wide receivers Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Makai Lemon (USC).
At no. 8, the Saints are heavily rumored to be in on a wide receiver as well, so let's pencil in Lemon or Tyson there.
Then, we get to no. 9, owned by the Kansas City Chiefs. That's a wide-open spot for Brett Veach. But, let's assume they also want a wide receiver. If all three of the top guys are gone, then they'd have to be in on either Styles, Downs or cornerback Mansoor Delane (LSU).
We'll stop there, because moving up from no. 12 in order to get one of Styles, Downs or Delane seems like the move.
If the Cowboys didn't want to chance it and hope that one of those three falls to 12, then a move up inside the top 10 makes a ton of sense. Now, there's also the offensive tackle factor here. The offensive tackle depth is extremely strong in the first round, and there could definitely be one taken inside the top 10.
Are we feeling a bit better about the Cowboys' chances at Downs or Styles, and if not those two, Delane?
Should be.
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