The Cowboys have two first-round picks, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out where the franchise could go.
Brian Schottenheimer's Dallas Cowboys will enter the offseason knowing that they have an offense capable of leading them to a playoff berth in 2026.
But the defense? Not so much.
With Matt Eberflus fired, the Cowboys need a new coordinator to take hold of one of the league's worst units.
And there are holes everywhere.
Linebacker, safety, corner, and pass rusher are the obvious needs Schottenheimer and the front office have to address.
And they've got the weaponry to do it as well.
With the ability to have over $100 million in cap space to use in free agency, plus two-first-round picks, it's time to go shopping.
Should all of those resources be used on defense? ESPN's Todd Archer thinks so.
“Anywhere but tackle on defense,” Archer wrote. “Anywhere. The Cowboys have two first-round picks after the Micah Parsons trade and have needs all over the place, except at tackle where they have Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa.
"There is no way they could rule out taking a pass rusher, cornerback, linebacker or safety. The Cowboys did not affect the passer well enough in 2026, and they did not take the ball away enough either.”
(Micah is gone to Green Bay. Oh, and the other 2024 end starter, DeMarcus Lawrence? He's in Seattle, still aiming for a Super Bowl.)
Of course, just because the Cowboys "should use their resources on defense, doesn't mean they will.
Our own Mike Fisher has two ways to go. BPA (best player available), and BAA (best available athlete). Dallas shouldn't be focused solely on defense because that's when a team can "reach" and select a player that shouldn't be taken so high (Mazi Smith).
So there is a balancing act Dallas must perform over the coming months between getting the much-needed defensive reinforcements and getting the best player available when it is time to make their selection.
Free agency could also play a key role.
If the Cowboys can manage to find two or three players to plug holes before the draft, that would be ideal. And it would then narrow the search for their two first-round selections.
Having so many needs might help the Cowboys.
Not needing just one position, regardless of how free agency shakes out, there will still be multiple spots the team has to fill.
Yes, the consensus is that defense has to be the top priority this offseason, but the Cowboys have to stay true to their draft board.
Because with two first-round picks, this is a chance that can't be wasted.