7-round Cowboys mock draft: Trade back yields extra pick, CB-DE combo, double up on safety
They are no longer “way too early.” The Dallas Cowboys are officially eliminated from playoff contention, and have now played two games since achieving that disappointing status for their 2025 season. The needs are plentiful and though the free agency period comes first, it’s hard to put any faith in this organization using that as a primary tool to inject new talent onto the roster.
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The club has gotten into trading for veterans over the last three or four years, but they’ve yet to be truly active in free agency. Their primary method of acquiring talent has been the NFL draft, and as they haven’t been as good in recent years as before, they’ve now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years. Returning to draft glory is going to be the key to returning to the postseason.
Mock drafts work on a couple of fronts. Aside from those who hear the convo inside the halls of The Star in Frisco, they are at their best ways to identify collegiate talent who could fit into what Dallas has planned. With so much question about what kind of scheme the Cowboys will run in 2026 and who will run their defense, there’s still a bunch of guess work there. However, it makes sense to learn more about some of the prospects and who may be available at various levels of the draft.
Here’s a seven-round exercise for the Cowboys, our first full mock of 2026.
1.13: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Sep 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (not pictured) making an incomplete pass during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Justification: The Cowboys are going to part ways with Trevon Diggs, regardless of if their 2026 DC runs a man or zone scheme. The front office doesn’t want him anymore and they can escape his contract. Despite their belief they got a first-round talent in Shavon Revel, and signing DaRon Bland to an extension last offseason, the Cowboys need to add one more top-tier talent to the position.
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Delane stands 6-foot even, and transferred to LSU after three seasons with Virginia Tech. He’s a physical man cover corner who has a high football IQ and can play both moving backwards and downhill to attack the run game.
Trade Back
Send 1.21, 5.177, 2027 sixth rounder to Los Angeles Chargers for 1.25, 3.89, 6.203
Justification: The Cowboys have two first round picks, but are set to sit out Day 2. That’s a lot of talent to watch fly off the board. Moving back in the back end of the first seems ideal. Here Dallas adds a third rounder while moving from the back of the fifth to the sixth, and giving up one of their two 2027 sixths.
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1.25 Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s Romello Height celebrates his sack against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Justification: The cupboard isn’t bare. Although he hasn’t racked up many sacks, Donovan Ezeiruaku has been the best pressure rookie from his 2025 draft class. Dallas also needs to bring back 33-year old Jadeveon Clowney, which we recognized long before the local media caught on this week.
Height is a speed rusher at this point, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds. He has insane burst around the edge, and also already has a good stockpile of pressure moves to get himself free. He even received a comp to Ezeiruaku, who has suprisingly exceeded run-stopping expectations as a rookie.
3.89 RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) jumps to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Justification: The Cowboys have acheived their desired success in the run game, and then some. Javonte Williams has been a revelation, setting career highs in everything in Klayton Adams’ scheme. Malik Davis has been a big-play machine when he gets the chance. Hunter Luepke does work when asked. So why spend a Top 100 pick on the position?
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Here’s why, he might be a long-term stud behind a scheme like Dallas’.
4.113 Servery Syrrier Syrian Syrian Syria Summer.
Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Keon Sabb (3) points after Vanderbilt Commodores comes up short on 3rd down during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Justification: Saab stands 6-foot-2, weighing 208 pounds. He’s a two-way safety who hopefully could come in and fill the Donovan Wilson role, a pending free agent, with a little more consistency in coverage.
Rest of Day 3 Picks
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Trade Back: 1.152 to Indianapolis Colts for 1.157 and 7.231
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1.157: LB Trey Moore, Texas
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6.203: DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
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7.214: Safety Bud Clark, TCU
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7.231: Edge Patrick Payton, LSU
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 7-round Cowboys mock draft: Trade yields extra pick, CB-DE combo
