Cowboys ponder draft's "violent" edge rusher T.J. Parker versus acquiring Raiders star Maxx Crosby. Which path unlocks defensive dominance?
The Dallas Cowboys are obviously not worried about the NFL playoffs right now, so they can start looking forward to who they are going to take in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
The latest mock by PFF's Trevor Sikkema has the Dallas Cowboys staying true to a familiar formula: invest in the trenches, bet on traits, and trust the coaching staff to unlock the upside.
This time, that philosophy leads them to Clemson edge defender TJ Parker, a pick that feels very on-brand for a team looking to reassert its defensive identity in 2026.
"Parker didn’t have the year many of us expected, earning PFF run-defense and pass-rush grades in the high 70.0s instead of the 80.0s as he did in 2024," Sikkema writes. "But he was one of the standout players from the Senior Bowl. His violence as an edge defender in run and pass situations gives him first-round value. He would pair nicely opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku."
One way to add talent at defensive end? Trade for the Raiders' Maxx Crosby. A cheaper way? Use pick No. 12 on an edge.
Parker’s draft journey hasn’t been completely smooth. Entering the season, many evaluators expected him to cement himself as a no-doubt top-tier defender. While the production didn’t quite hit those projected heights, the tape still tells an intriguing story—one that the Cowboys would be more than comfortable betting on.
That last line is where this mock pick really comes to life for Dallas fans. The Cowboys have been searching for a long-term answer on the edge who can consistently set the tone physically, not just rack up splash plays. Parker brings exactly that brand of football.
The Senior Bowl was a turning point for Parker’s stock. Against top competition, he consistently won reps with power, leverage, and an unteachable nastiness that jumped off the screen. For a Cowboys front office that values how prospects perform when the lights are brightest, that week in Mobile likely carried significant weight.
Pairing Parker with Donovan Ezeiruaku would give Dallas a young, aggressive edge duo capable of impacting both the run and pass game. One brings burst and bend, the other brings force and finish—a combination that can stress offensive lines in multiple ways.
In this mock draft scenario, Parker isn’t just a pick for today. He’s a tone-setter for the future, a defender who embodies the physical, fast, and violent style the Cowboys want to be known for again. If this projection becomes reality, it wouldn’t be flashy, but it could be foundational.