New Cowboys NFL Mock Draft Expert Round-Up for Both 1st-Round Picks

The Dallas Cowboys have a pivotal NFL draft coming up as they look to turn things around after a pair of rough seasons.

Ahead of the first round of the draft on April 23, here's a look at what experts are projecting the Cowboys to do with the No. 12 and No. 20 picks:

Expert: B/R NFL Scouting Department (3/19)

Selection (No. 12): David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

Selection (No. 20): Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (3/17)

Selection (No. 12): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Selection (No. 20): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Expert: Field Yates, ESPN (3/24)

Selection (No. 12): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Selection (No. 20): R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

Expert: Todd McShay, The Ringer (3/23)

Selection (No. 12): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Selection (No. 20): T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (3/17)

Selection (No. 12): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Selection (No. 20): T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Expert: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (3/24)

Selection (No. 12): Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Selection (No. 20): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Expert: Charles Davis, NFL.com (3/26)

Selection (No. 12): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Selection (No. 20): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Expert: Eric Edholm, NFL.com (3/19)

Selection (No. 12): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Selection (No. 20): Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com (3/20)

Selection (No. 12): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Selection (No. 20): Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Expert: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (3/23)

Selection (No. 12): R Mason Thomas, DL, Oklahoma

Selection (No. 20): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The most commonly shared opinion amongst draft experts is that the Cowboys will take a defensive player, which makes sense given how last year went. Dallas gave up the third-most yards per game (377) and the most points per game (30.1) in 2025. Those defensive struggles cancelled out what was an outstanding offensive season for the Cowboys.

Dallas addressed some of its defensive concerns in free agency, trading for defensive end Rashan Gary and signing safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant and a few other defensive players, but there's still work to be done on that side of the ball.

Tennessee's Jermod McCoy is a popular name to go to Dallas, and that's not much of a surprise since he's one of the best players at his position in this year's class. B/R's NFL Scouting Department considers him to be the No. 14 overall player and the second-best cornerback, just behind LSU's Mansoor Delane.

If the Cowboys opt to address the defensive line rather than the secondary, Texas Tech's David Bailey could be the best pick. While Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is the star of this year's draft, there's a good chance he'll be off the board when the No. 12 pick rolls around.

Having two first-round picks give Dallas a bit of flexibility if it wants to take an offensive player at No. 20, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to use both picks on the defensive side.