The most important decision the Dallas Cowboys will make this offseason is who replaces Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator. Finding an upgrade won't be difficult, but setting that new DC up for success by improving the personnel is imperative.
The Cowboys can’t afford to be spectators in free agency, but how they fare in the NFL Draft will set the tone for everything. Fortunately, they’ll wield two first-round picks for the first time since 2012, selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 overall after the Packers crashed out of the playoffs.
As far as the No. 12 pick is concerned, Dallas received some unfortunate news as Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has shockingly decided to return to school.
Moore was a shoo-in to be selected No. 2 overall by the Jets. In a weak quarterback class, New York now might take the best available defensive player. Assuming that Alabama QB Ty Simpson does not go in the top 12, Moore's decision could mean that one less defensive stud is available when the Cowboys are on the clock with their first pick.
Dante Moore returning to Oregon is bad news for the Cowboys
Dane Brugler of The Athletic, one of the most respected draft gurus in the industry, just published a new mock draft in light of Moore's decision. He mocked Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese to the Jets with the second pick. That is the worry with Moore returning to the Ducks.
The Cowboys are not in Reese's range, but Moore's decision puts him in play to be the second pick, and the domino effect could be harmful to Dallas' strategy.
Reese was the only defender to go in Brugler's top six, but there was a run on defenders afterwards, with the Commanders drafting Texas Tech edge David Bailey at No. 7, the Chiefs taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 9, the Bengals nabbing Miami edge Rueben Bain at No. 10, and the Dolphins plucking Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the 11th pick.
The Cowboys grabbed Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at 12. That would be a fantastic outcome, all things considered, but Brugler also had the Saints taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the seventh pick.
Nobody would bat an eye if New Orleans went defense. It's no sure thing that Styles is available to Dallas. But the odds would be a lot higher if Moore declared.
The good news is that the 2026 NFL Draft is still three months away. The Combine hasn't even happened yet, so Brugler's next mock draft could look a lot different a month from now.
Moore’s decision is far from disastrous, but it’s not the outcome the Cowboys were rooting for.