The Dallas Cowboys are conducting their 30 visits prior to the beginning of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh.

It's the second draft process for head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but first for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who is now in charge of the group Dallas will likely try to improve with the eight draft picks.

Most of the attention is on the first round as the Cowboys sit at No. 12 and 20 overall. They could be in position to grab one of the top three players at the position of their choosing ... but we warn that Dallas has had the most success this decade drafting the best player on their board - no matter what the position.

A strategy that targets a specific position in need, such as cornerback or linebacker on today's roster, hasn't been as effective as you'd like.

But in the latest full mock draft out of Bristol, Dallas is seeing more projections of narrowing their prospects down by need.

Let's break down draft analyst Matt Miller's round-by-round mock of the Cowboys to see the chances of Parker finding a difference-maker or two to turnaround one of the league's worst defenses.

To redshirt, or not to redshirt?

After completely missing the 2025 season recovering a torn ACL, McCoy is still earning high praise from scouts because of, what Miller assesses, as "elite" film from the year prior.

His recent measurements at Tennessee's Pro Day speak in a similar vain.

McCoy posted a 4.37 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical, and a 10-7 leap in the broad jump. That's a statement that he's long past his knee injury and should be ready to go as soon as training camp begins.

The Cowboys notably have a gap at cornerback with Trevon Diggs released and third-rounder Shavon Revel Jr. getting his own footing following an injury-plagued rookie season.

"The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy profiles as a physical outside cornerback with smooth moving skills in phase," Miller says. "He would have been my top cornerback in the 2025 class if he had been draft-eligible."

And now he could be the Cowboys' next building block in the secondary.

Add another to that mix, too.

Maybe this is controversial to some; using 12 and 20 both to reload in the secondary?

But it would be a complete makeover, for sure.

Miller has Dallas rebuilding its defensive backfield by landing yet another versatile playmaker to pair with veteran safeties Malik Hooker and newly-signed Jalen Thompson.

"McNeil-Warren would be elite in a three-safety look due to his 6-foot-4 build, range and ability to play in the box. He's very good at erasing passing lanes, but McNeil-Warren's best asset is his downhill tackling ability that has led to nine career forced fumbles.

"Dallas needs difference-makers on defense, and McNeil-Warren's turnover creation would be welcome."

The Cowboys found their way into Day 2 of the draft by trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers.

Now they might've found a new starting linebacker in an game-wrecker from the boot.

"Defensive speed is the theme of the Cowboys' mock draft so far," Miller said. "Perkins' versatility and open-field range make him a natural fit opposite DeMarvion Overshown, and Perkins has sub-package pass-rush potential."

Speed is this mock draft's focus just as versatility has been Parker's focus in free agency. That must be carried into this find with the Cowboys in need of a replacement for last year's core of Kenneth Murray Jr. Jack Sanborn and Logan Wilson in the middle.

So, while he isn't listed as an inside linebacker, Perkins could either see a shift toward the line joining edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, go into competition with youngster outside backers Shemar James and Marist Liufau, or convert into a more traditional center fielder, so to speak.

Big Ten pedigree and raw talent to join the likes of Perkins in remaking the middle third of the defense here in the middle portions of the draft.

These are the type of athletes you cannot pass up this late into the draft. Jerry Jones has been accostomed to falling in love with the "build" of a player's physique. Dennis-Sutton offers this unique blend of size and strength - 6-5, 265 pounds, age 22 - that is worth a dart in Round 4.

Miller mocks the Cowboys to stay put on all three of their fifth-round picks.

The two Crimson Tide products fill out position rooms where Dallas has a clear starter in line (and paid), but not-as-defined backups.

Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford formed into a solid role player for his ability to block, and Cuevas' solid pass-catching could be a nice alternative to Jake Ferguson for the Cowboys' Dak Prescott-led pass game.

Miller would compete with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, while Klubnik - an Austin Westlake grad who'd be returning to AT&T Stadium after winning state title games there for the Chaps - would battle with Joe Milton and newcomer Sam Howell to backup Prescott.

Roberts hauled in 106 passes, 1,656 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two years in Provo.

Dallas' receiver room is in the midst of contract-related uncertainty regarding George Pickens. If push comes to shove, this pick is a form of depth insurance.

The Cowboys also lost WR3 Jalen Tolbert in free agency this offseason, meaning Roberts would compete with Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin to get snaps next to CeeDee Lamb and Pickens.