2026 NFL Draft Odds: Dallas Cowboys Predictions For Picks No. 12 & No. 20

The NFL Draft is a time of hope for NFL teams, especially those like the Dallas Cowboys, who often seem a player or two away from the greatness expected of them. With two picks in the first round, there is a very good chance the Cowboys could acquire two playmakers who can have an immediate impact.

That is, if they make the right choices. With Jerry Jones, it is always hard to predict what the Cowboys will do on Draft Day (or any other day, for that matter). Rather than try to read his mind, let’s take a look at the NFL draft odds for the No. 12 and 20 picks and who Dallas may take.

(Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

What Will the Dallas Cowboys Do in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Dallas defense was horrid last season, and so much of the draft speculation surrounding the Cowboys has involved the defensive side of the ball. While the Cowboys covered some needs in free agency, there is still a hole in the middle of the defense at inside linebacker. But the defensive line could certainly use some help, in the middle and on the edge.

There is speculation that a safety could be in the cards, but they signed Jalen Thompson to a $33 million deal. So, I’d be surprised if they went after another one in the first round. But their secondary as a whole was lacking last season, making it quite possible they select a cornerback in the first round.

The Cowboys are not signing George Pickens to a long-term deal, which could mean a wide receiver may be in play. With the money the team has invested in Dak Prescott, it would not be shocking to see Dallas try to improve the offensive line. Fans will, of course, remember the 2020 draft when defensive help was needed.

But when CeeDee Lamb was still available at No. 17, the team couldn’t pass up such a value. If Carnell Tate happens to still be on the board...

2026 NFL Draft Odds—Number 12 Overall Pick

Here are the odds (via DraftKings) for several of the players listed with odds as the possible No. 12 selection in the first round:

• Mansoor Delane (cornerback, LSU) +600
• Caleb Downs (safety, Ohio State) +650
• Rueben Bain Jr. (defensive end,  Miami) +650
• Dillon Thieneman (safety, Oregon) +900
• Kadyn Proctor (offensive tackle, Alabama) +1000
• Spencer Fano (offensive tackle, Utah) +1000
• Francis Mauigoa (offensive tackle, Miami) +1100
• Keldric Faulk (defensive tackle, Auburn) +1400
• Jordyn Tyson (wide receiver, Arizona State) +1400
• Monroe Fielding (offensive tackle, Georgia) +1600
• Makai Lemon (wide receiver, USC) +1600
• Akheem Mesidor (defensive end, Miami) +1700
• Olaivavega Ione  (guard, Penn State) +2000
• Jermod McCoy (cornerback, Tennessee)+2000

You can never tell what Jerry Jones will do. But if he decides to fill one of the many holes Dallas has on defense, he’ll have plenty of great options available. Delane, Downs, Bain Jr., and Thieneman will probably not be available. That possibility could be why there are rumors that the Cowboys could be looking to trade up or down.

According to the NFL Mock Database, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy could be the player who Dallas targets. He is far from a consensus pick, with just 24% of mocks tracked having him go to the Cowboys. Missing last season with an ACL injury has to be a red flag.

If none of the defensive players available are intriguing enough to Dallas and it doesn’t find a trade partner, it would not be shocking to see it go with an offensive lineman.

2026 NFL Draft Odds—Number 20 Overall Pick

Here are the odds (via DraftKings) for several of the players listed with odds as the possible No. 20 selection in the first round:

• Malachi Lawrence (defensive end, UCF) +550
• Keldric Faulk (defensive tackle, Auburn) +550
• Akheem Mesidor (defensive end, Miami) +600
• Colton Hood (cornerback, Tennessee) +1200
• Chris Johnson (cornerback, San Diego State) +1200
• Dillon Thieneman (safety, Oregon) +1300
• Jacob Rodriguez (linebacker, Texas Tech) +1500
• T.J. Parker (defensive end, Clemson) +1600

At this stage of the draft, it becomes a little less about the best player available and a bit more about filling a need. That could be why the top of the betting board at DraftKings is populated by defensive players.

This late in the first round, it is much harder to find a consensus pick. Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk is a popular choice for Dallas at No. 20, but with just 29% of mock drafts tracked. Tennessee cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy are also popular choices, as is Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor.

PFF’s big board has Mesidor ranked as the 20th-best player available.

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My NFL Draft Predictions for Picks No. 12 and No. 20

I am not confident that a defensive player is going to have the most value at No. 12. At that pick, teams are often still looking to get the best available player. So, if they go defensive, unless someone falls, Dallas will end up reaching for someone too soon. Hopefully, they do not go with Jermod McCoy.

He’s a great value pick for bettors at +2000 to go at No. 12. But I’d think a guy coming off an ACL injury would be available later in the first round. The talk has been all about Dallas' defense in the first round. But the offensive line could use some serious work. There will likely be a few guys worth taking at No. 12, i.e., Kadyn Proctor (+1000), Spencer Fano (+1000), or Francis Mauigoa (+1100).

As for the No. 20 pick, they need to address at least one defensive need in the first round. They can do so at No.20 by taking either Malachi Lawrence (+550), Keldric Faulk (+550), or Akheem Mesidor (+600). If they go with a corner, I hope it is Colton Hood, not Jermod McCoy.

If you are a sucker for a great dark horse pick like I am, this could also be where Dallas solves its inside linebacker problem with Jacob Rodriguez (+1500).