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

The Dallas Cowboys are another team that fell short of expectations last season because of their defense. It was largely self-inflicted after trading Micah Parsons a week before their opening game in Philadelphia.

They will look to continue moving forward from that stunning decision with two first-round picks.

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

Expert: B/R NFL Scouting Department (4/15)

Selections (No. 12 & 20): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee & Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Jermod McCoy

The Dallas Cowboys have two first-round picks to help bolster a defense that finished 30th overall and 32nd against the pass.

Despite these issues, Dallas has yet to make a significant addition to the secondary. Tennessee's Jermod McCoy could have been a top-five selection if he didn't miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign due to a torn ACL.

"McCoy saw everyone breathe a sigh of relief after running a sub-4.4 forty-yard dash during Tennessee's Pro Day," B/R scout Daniel Harms said. "Questions will still exist about how healthy he really is, but he's expected to be ready for training camp and the 2026 campaign.

"The 20-year-old prospect is an excellent athlete with the explosiveness to close the gap, physicality to play boundary corner and willingness to help in the run game. He adds a legitimate building block to a secondary that has struggled for a number of years."

Keldric Faulk

The Dallas Cowboys continue to look for more defensive help. Auburn's Keldric Faulk isn't a traditional edge-rusher, but he can be an integral piece to the Cowboys' new-look scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Chris Parker.

The 6'6", 276-pound Faulk should slide nicely into what will essentially be a 3-4 base front. The additions of the 21-year-old prospect, as well as cornerback Jermod McCoy earlier in the first round, provide the Cowboys defense with massive upside.

"Don't look at Faulk as a replacement for Micah Parsons," B/R scout Matt Holder said. "The Auburn product doesn't have the pass-rush polish right now to fill those shoes. He could eventually replace another defensive lineman who exited Dallas during the 2025 offseason: DeMarcus Lawrence. For now, Dallas traded Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers this spring. Faulk can step right in to replace Odighizuwa."

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Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (4/15)

Selection (No. 6 via projected trade with Cleveland): LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Expert: Field Yates, ESPN (3/24)

Selections (No. 12 & 20): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee & Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Expert: Matt Miller, ESPN (3/30)

Selections (No. 12 & 20): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee & S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (3/31)

Selections (No. 12 & 20): LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State & CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

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

Selections (No. 12 & 20): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee & Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic (4/15)

Selection (No. 6 via projected trade with Cleveland): LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Expert: Danny Kelly, The Ringer (3/4)

Selections (No. 12 & 20): Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn & CB Kolton Hood, Tennessee

Summary

A Tennessee Volunteers cornerback playing in Dallas looks highly possible with where the Cowboys are. They need to reload their secondary as the defense made significant coaching and personnel changes this offseason. While selecting an edge-rusher will be a priority, they need at least one rookie cornerback ready to start for them instantly.