A surprising draft strategy could turn Dallas's already potent passing game into an unstoppable force, even with established stars.
The Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2026 NFL Draft are expected to prioritize obvious needs like defensive end, cornerback, and linebacker. But one recent analysis suggests a far more surprising possibility—one that could reshape the offense in a major way.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, he outlines what he thinks one need for every NFL team in the 2026 NFL Draft is. For the Cowboys, he surprisingly lists that need as wide receiver, as he thinks they should try to absolutely overpower their opponents.
"There are bigger needs on the board, but the reality is that Pickens is on the franchise tag," Ballentine writes. "The Cowboys might not be able to afford keeping him long-term and giving Prescott three receivers who can beat man coverage could be a cheat code to relevance."
At first glance, that idea feels unnecessary. Lamb has firmly established himself as a true No. 1 option, while Pickens—currently playing on the franchise tag—proved to be a dynamic complement on the outside. Together, they gave Dallas a passing attack that consistently stressed opposing defenses and created matchup problems across the field.
However, it’s that exact context that makes the idea intriguing.
Pickens’ long-term future in Dallas remains uncertain. With no extension in place, the Cowboys could be facing a scenario where their explosive receiver duo is only intact for one more season. Drafting a wide receiver now would not only provide insurance, but also keep the offense operating at a high level beyond 2026.
If this scenario sounds familiar, it should. The Cowboys made a similar "luxury pick" in 2020 when they selected Lamb despite already having established receivers. That decision paid off quickly, as Lamb developed into the focal point of the passing game.
As a matter of record, the Cowboys have visited with top pass-catchers like Omar Cooper of Indiana, Chris Bell of and Eli Stowers (a tight end/receiver) hybrid.
And Makai Lemon is USC is among a group of others who are surely being monitored.
So ... bases are being covered.
Of course, this doesn’t mean Dallas will ignore more pressing needs. The roster still has clear holes that must be addressed if the team hopes to return to playoff contention after a 7–9–1 season in 2025.
And do we really think that Jerry Jones is just going to let his defense rot and stay at the bottom of the rankings?
I don't think so.
But it's at least fun to think about the Cowboys going wide receiver early and making their offense even scarier than it already was in 2025.