Fans want a defensive game-changer. See which top cornerback prospect their mock draft picks to bolster the Cowboys' secondary.
The Dallas Cowboys head into the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear objective: strengthen an already competitive roster and position themselves for another postseason run. This is not a team searching for direction—it’s one looking to fine-tune key areas, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
That thinking showed up in a recent fan-driven mock draft from Bleacher Report, where Cowboys supporters weighed in on the team’s first-round selection.
Their first choice was quite unsurprisingly Ohio State's Sonny Styles, but he had gone to the New York Giants back with the No. 5 pick. As a result, they had to go with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.
But McCoy is not what I could call "settling."
McCoy’s résumé is intriguing. Prior to a torn ACL that sidelined him for the 2025 season, he demonstrated a natural feel for the position. He consistently showed the ability to read quarterbacks, close quickly on the ball, and create turnovers—traits that translate well to the NFL.
He racked up 44 total tackles in his 2024 season with the Volunteers, but it was his four interceptions and nine passes defended that really show where his skills lie.
Of course, the injury adds an element of uncertainty. Any time a player is coming off a significant knee issue, teams must weigh the long-term outlook carefully. For a hopeful contender like Dallas, that risk has to be balanced against the potential reward. If McCoy returns to form, he could provide the kind of spark the Cowboys’ defense needs to take another step forward.
The fans picked Styles and LSU's Mansoor Delane over McCoy ... with the idea of McCoy as a worrisome "redshirt'' (to use Jerry Jones' cautionary word) obviously in play.
As draft night approaches, the Cowboys’ front office will ultimately make its own evaluations and decisions. Still, this glimpse into fan perspective underscores a key theme: adding impact players on defense remains a priority, and McCoy is very much in that conversation.