Dallas Cowboys 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jermod McCoy At 1.12?

Dallas Cowboys 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jermod McCoy At 1.12?

Kody Malstrom dives into one of the most interesting teams ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys.

With two first-round picks at their disposal, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the more intriguing teams in this year's draft, potentially shaping how the rest of the board shakes out. Whether they bundle their picks and move into the top five or sit tight and address two glaring needs, the Cowboys are in a great position to round back into form with one productive class.

Below is a breakdown of a Dallas Cowboys seven-round mock, using a draft simulator to guide through each pick. Reminder, I do not incorporate trades into my mock, yet I will point out where they may opt into trading back if the range of players does not fit their needs. For the rest of our draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft Guide for great insight and information.

DAL_cowboys-logo.svgDallas Cowboys Seven-Round 2026 Mock Draft

1.12 - Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)

If it were not for a season-ending injury, then Jermod McCoy would most likely be valued as the top cornerback in this year’s draft. A physical ballhawk who consistently latches on to his assignments hip, McCoy would give the Cowboys a cornerback they can lean on, barring he is able to round back into dominant form.

1.20 - Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)

Keeping their attention on their defense, the Cowboys use their second pick in the first round on Keldric Faulk, giving them a run-stopping monster in the trenches with room to grow in pass sets. While he will most likely not be able to replicate Micah Parsons’ loss of talent, his addition will give their defensive line a much-needed boost in production.

3.92 - Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)

Per Dwain McFarland’s Rookie Super Model breakdown, Zachariah Branch oozes top-10 receiver talent in this year’s class but needs the opportunity to prove he is something more than a gadget player. With George Pickens on a franchise tag, the Cowboys can potentially replace him next year if Branch proves himself while on a much more friendly contract.

4.112 - Austin Barber (OT, Florida)

After their pair of OT’s finished 32nd in True Pass Set Grade, the Cowboys are in desperate need of injecting some life into the position. Even though Austin Barber’s short arms are a cause for concern, his play on tape shows he had no issue with fighting SEC competition, ranking near the top of the board in Pass and Run Block Grades. If his size does pose an issue, the Cowboys can kick him into the interior, giving them more depth in the middle.

5.152 - Michael Taaffe (S, Texas)

A former walk-on, Michael Taaffe cemented his spot on the roster due to his ball-hawking abilities on the back end. Even with his small frame, Taaffe was able to overcome it by successfully diagnosing schemes before they happened, beating his assignment to the point of contact. While his size will pose an issue against the run, it’s hard to ignore how well he fared in coverage, making him worth a flyer in the fifth round.

5.177 - VJ Payne (S, Kansas State)

Fresh off of selecting Taaffe, the Cowboys continue to address their secondary by grabbing VJ Payne at 5.177. His size and length immediately stand out on paper, giving the Cowboys the option to plug him at corner to smother bigger bodies or keep him on the back end to ball hawk. While he does have a ways to go in his development in regard to stopping the run, any boost in production to the Cowboys' secondary is massive for how thin they are at the position.

5.180 - Markel Bell (OT, Miami)

Turning their sights back towards their offensive line, Markel Bell’s emergence has created some buzz, making him an intriguing pick in the fifth round. His massive size and frame help him neutralize opposing pass rushers once he gets his hands on them. If he can work on his quickness, then Bell will develop into a viable run blocker, potentially earning a starting role later in his career.

7.218 - Eric Gentry (LB, USC)

Assuming the Cowboys do not bundle their first-round picks to select Arvell Reese, then they will need to address LB at some point, making Eric Gentry the pick at 7.218. A lengthy presence in the middle, Gentry is capable of making up ground in a flash, giving them a disruptive body at the position. His mechanics and open fielding tackling still need a lot of work, making him a depth piece at best.