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FRISCO, Texas – The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is now less than two weeks away.

It's one of the most crucial in recent history for the Cowboys, who will have two first round picks for the first time since 2008, and are in need of impact players as the team looks to improve from a 7-9-1 finish in 2025.

After finishing last season with one of the worst defenses in franchise history, it makes sense that the Cowboys have been tied to many defensive players with one or both of their picks. However, Dallas' brass has held firm that they'll take the best player available, even if it's on offense.

Let's take a look at which players draft analysts see the Cowboys taking in the first round:

12^th: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Field Yates: "The mission to fix the Cowboys' defense should start with the addition of Bain. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has hands of destruction that will travel to the NFL, and he had 9.5 sacks last season for the Hurricanes."

20^th: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Field Yates: "A double dip at edge in the first round for Dallas? Why not? A dominant pass rush unlocks any defense, and this would be the Cowboys' third major investment at the position this offseason (Bain at No. 12 and the trade for Rashan Gary).

3^rd (projected trade with Cardinals): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

"Arizona really needs O-line help, but this spot seems too high for what is available in this draft, so trading back is the Cards' best move. The Cowboys didn't get Maxx Crosby and still could use more juice attacking offenses. They would love for Reese to fall here, but Bailey is another true difference-maker in a draft that isn't all that deep with them."

20^th: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

"Dallas has an interesting choice here between the 6-4, 212-pound Boston and Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr., who is smaller but came up big for the national champions in 2025. Boston caught 125 passes for 1,715 and 20 TDs over the past two seasons. Washington coaches who were around Tetairoa McMillan (the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) when they were at Arizona say the Panthers' first-rounder is more fluid and has better body control, but Boston is faster and also has strong hands and is very competitive — much like McMillan."

12^th: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

"Jackpot! Look, Styles could go much higher. If the Giants don't take him No. 5 overall, he could be a potential trade-up target for a few teams. But if he's still on the board at the 12 spot, the Cowboys should be very excited."

20^th: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

"There is nothing sexy about this pick. Dallas needs help on the back end, and Hood is one of the first-round tackles who offers toughness in coverage and in run support."

12^th: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

"Dallas' cornerback room is full of question marks behind DaRon Bland due to the release of Trevon Diggs. Bland is solid, but the Cowboys need a corner who scares opposing QBs. McCoy missed last season following a torn ACL suffered in January 2025, but his 2024 tape was elite, with four interceptions and nine passes defensed. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy profiles as a physical outside cornerback with smooth moving skills in phase. He would have been my top cornerback in the 2025 class if he had been draft-eligible."

20^th: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

"After going corner at No. 12, the Cowboys could land a long-term safety option, as they need a youthful upgrade to 30-year-old Malik Hooker and free agent signee Jalen Thompson. McNeil-Warren would be elite in a three-safety look due to his 6-foot-4 build, range and ability to play in the box. He's very good at erasing passing lanes, but McNeil-Warren's best asset is his downhill tackling ability that has led to nine career forced fumbles. Dallas needs difference-makers on defense, and McNeil-Warren's turnover creation would be welcome."

12^th: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

"Not every NFL Scouting Combine star ends up being a top-10 selection. Front seven defenders Jamin Davis, Odafe Oweh and Dallas Turner had similar workouts to Styles in Indy and and lasted until the second half of the first round. Just like when Micah Parsons fell to them at No. 12 in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys luck out again this year, landing a much-needed run defender who can play in the box and track down ball carriers in space."

29^th (projected trade with Chiefs): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

"Dallas acquires a second Day 2 pick and still lands a cornerback who displayed toughness in coverage and as a tackler, earning all-conference honors in his only season with the Vols."