By all intends and purposes, it's not a far cry as it once was to consider the Dallas Cowboys' trading of star defensive end Micah Parsons before the season to be a major loss anymore.

Dallas received Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to fill a major need in run-stopping, along with two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

The latter year's selection was then flipped to the New York Jets to nab star tackle Quinnen Williams, who has ignited a defensive revolution that has been the story of the Cowboys' active three-game win streak.

So Parsons exits, but a dynamic duo of muscle fills in a much-needed hole on the interior defensive line ... and there still remains that 2026 pick that gives the Cowboys two first-rounders in the upcoming draft.

With a 6-5-1 record (and amid this burst of optimism), Dallas isn't necessarily clamoring for who to draft just yet; the Cowboys are still in the hunt to make the playoffs and lower their draft positioning, and the Packers are toward the bottom of the round already with an 8-3-1 record.

... But that isn't stopping some pundits who are sticking their nose into stat sheets and game film.

The Athletic's NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler released his first installment of a first-round mock draft for next spring. Cowboys fans are interested in seeing how owner/GM Jerry Jones might invest his two selections - which is tied for the most in Round 1 with the Titans, the Rams and Jets.

Dallas Cowboys Mock: Pick No. 16 - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Cowboys chose lengthy East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round this past offseason, but his ACL injury suffered in college stalled his debut with the Cowboys. Since his activation, though, Revel has shown the versatility and production that labeled him a draft-day steal on Day 2 when he landed with Dallas.

Will the Cowboys go cornerback again ... who also has a bum knee?

"With Trevon Diggs' future in Dallas in doubt, the Cowboys might look at upgrade at cornerback," Brugler writes.

"Since he's coming back from an ACL tear, McCoy hasn't produced any 2025 tape to evaluate. However, his 2024 tape was outstanding, and he will be more than a year removed from his injury by the NFL Scouting Combine. Dallas has never been shy about taking chances on players coming off injury."

With the Volunteers in 2024 (his first year at Tennessee after transferring from Oregon State), McCoy totaled 44 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes deflections in 13 games.

Dallas Cowboys Mock: Pick No. 27 (from GB) - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

This past draft, Dallas saw more success with a linebacker in Shemar James, whom the Cowboys traded up to land in the fifth round. Allen profiles as another promising piece to build around as James has gotten acquainted with rising star DeMarvion Overshown over the last three weeks in Dallas.

"The linebacker play in Dallas has been abysmal all season, and Allen's key-and-diagnose skills would be a welcome addition," Brugler said.

"He is quick to read and fly to the football, plays with the punch to work off blockers and rarely misses tackles. Scouts say Allen's competitive energy is the lifeblood of Georgia's defense."

Allen has posted a career-high 80 tackles so far this season for the Bulldogs who are approaching another SEC Championship Game and likely entry into the College Football Playoff at 11-1. The linebacker also has two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 3.5 sacks and three pass deflections in coverage.

That "abysmal" production from the middle of the Cowboys' defense likely refers to the early-season rotation of Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn, the veteran duo that was traded for and signed in free agency. After the first few weeks, athletic youngster Marist Liufau has gotten more and more reps along with James to try to switch things up, but now with Overshown healthy, coordinator Matt Eberflus likely expects critics to die down on blasting the linebacker play if Dallas keeps winning.

If the need for a reinforcement persists, however, maybe the Cowboys' added draft capital can solve the problem.

By the looks of it, Dallas is projected to load up heavy on defense in many forms.