The Cowboys have several different needs for Christian Parker's defense, but can they answer all the questions in the first round?
There's no denying the Dallas Cowboys' defense still has many holes that need to be fixed before fans can be confident in Christian Parker's unit.
Yes, the Cowboys have added some nice pieces in Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and PJ Locke.
But the linebacker position hasn't been addressed yet. The Cowboys did try to get both Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, but both signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
There is still time for the Cowboys to add a veteran linebacker before the draft, and our own Mike Fisher thinks it is still very much a possibility.
But if the Cowboys do, for argument's sake, sign one, say Bobby Wagner, can they still fix all remaining holes in the first round?
That seems like a tall order.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon offers one question to every NFL team ahead of the draft, and when it came to Dallas, he asked: How does the defense go from liability to asset?
"That unit surrendered a league-worst 30.1 points per game in 2025 before adding Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant last month," Gagnon writes. "But they tried and failed to upgrade a weak linebacker unit, and they traded away Osa Odighizuwa.
"It's hard to imagine they're satisfied, but the good news is they have significant draft capital with two first-round picks. Expect all of that to go into the defense."
Expecting the Cowboys to go defense with both first-round picks is low-hanging fruit.
But also with Brian Schottenheimer stating that the team will look to draft pure, meaning BPA (best player available), if the next CeeDee Lamb is there at No. 12, Dallas will take that player.
Again, Fish states that if the "tags are touching" on an offensive player and a defensive player, meaning if there is no big difference, Dallas will likely go defense.
With the need for a linebacker still urgent, you can make the case for another corner as well. Dallas, if things fall its way, could draft two Day 1 starters for Parker.
And in doing that, might be able to answer Gagnon's question.
While the defense going from liability to asset is a little strong, I offer this.
How about going from liability to competent?
Do that, and you're in business.