The Dallas Cowboys may be in a stronger draft spot after Dexter Lawrence left the NFC East, opening a clearer path to top defensive targets at No. 12.
The Dallas Cowboys draft picture may have just gotten a lot more interesting.
With Dexter Lawrence traded from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas not only avoids facing one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles twice a year, but could also benefit when the 2026 NFL Draft begins.
That’s why the Cowboys are suddenly worth watching as one of the more intriguing teams in the NFC East. Dallas already entered the offseason needing major defensive help after a brutal 2025 season on that side of the ball.
The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 in Brian Schottenheimer’s first year, wasting an offense that played at a high level because the defense couldn’t hold up.
The front office has made moves to address that, bringing in names like Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary and Cobie Durant.
But the real opportunity may come in the draft, where Dallas owns two first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20.
Several projected targets have been tied to the Cowboys, including Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain Jr., two defenders viewed as potential impact additions.
ESPN’s Kevin Clark even suggested one of those players could help push Dallas into legitimate division contention, pointing to the Cowboys’ offensive floor and the upgraded talent already on defense.
The Lawrence trade adds another wrinkle. The Giants now hold picks No. 5 and No. 10, which changes how the board could unfold before Dallas is on the clock.
Instead of two separate teams potentially taking defense in those spots, New York now has more flexibility to split those selections between offense and defense.
That increases the odds that one of Dallas’ preferred defensive prospects is still available at No. 12.
There’s still reason for caution. Christian Parker remains an unknown as a full-time NFL defensive coordinator, and Dallas still has holes to fill.
But from the Cowboys’ point of view, the trade may have done two things at once: weaken a division rival and improve their chances of landing a difference-maker on draft night.
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