The Cowboys have a host of draft picks, but how many players can realistically start and make a difference in 2026?
The task at hand for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Draft is to overhaul the defense for Christian Parker.
With the defense needing reinforcements at linebacker, pass rusher, and corner, plus getting depth at other positions, the Cowboys have plenty of work to do.
Armed with two first-round picks and another six other selections, the thought is that the Cowboys will use all on defense.
At No. 12 and No. 20, there are plenty of options for Dallas, with corner Mansoor Delane a player commonly mocked to the Cowboys, and with the possibility of a slide-down of Caleb Downs in play as well.
In the first round, you can feel fairly confident that you are getting two Day 1 starters, right?
Well, Drew Fabianich, the executive director of the Panini Senior Bowl and a former scout with the Cowboys, spoke with our own Mike Fisher and revealed his draft grades on the first rounders this year.
"I'll be honest with you, I only have like 12 guys that I thought were like bona fide first-round picks, and you know there's 32 picks," Fabianich said. "If you want to get a linebacker, safety, you better take them high because there's not a lot of numbers there."
The Cowboys need a linebacker and a safety, so you would think one of them is getting taken at some point in the draft.
Given Dallas' overall needs, getting two starters is likely the bare minimum, right?
But with no second-round pick, a third- and a fourth-rounder, then three selections in the fifth round and one in the seventh, Dallas' picks are spread out.
But for Fabianich, there aren't too many rounds where you can confidently get starters.
"Here's the thing, if you're drafting somebody in the third round or above, you expect them to walk in and start," Fabianich added. "You draft them in the fourth. If they start, you're going like, "Woohoo! Aces." If they start in the fifth, you're going like, "Wow, we hit on that one."
So, for Dallas, it appears the best-case scenario is to have three starters from the draft.
Coupled with what the franchise has done in free agency with Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant (all expected to be starters), that will give the Cowboys six new starting players in 2026.
Is that enough for Parker? Keep in mind, that is provided all three of Dallas' first picks (No. 12, No. 20, and No. 92) all hit.
So, for those expecting a handful of starters to come out of the draft? The Cowboys need to hit the jackpot in a way that Fabianich thinks is doable.