The Dallas Cowboys have made the news official by firing Matt Eberflus after just one season. And it was expected and needed after the Cowboys allowed a franchise record in points allowed (511). Before the 2025 season, the most points the Cowboys had ever allowed in a season was in 2020 when they allowed 473 points. And before that, 468 in 2024. Needless to say, change was needed and it’s coming.
Regardless of who the Cowboys add at defensive coordinator, they need a big influx of talent on defense. And with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys are expected to address the defense early and often. If they hit on those two picks, it’s not hard to imagine the Cowboys drastically improving on defense in Year 1 under a new defensive coordinator.
Sonny Styles and Jermod McCoy could solve Cowboys' defensive issues
With the Cowboys owning the No. 12 pick, they are in a prime position to grab an impact defender. And while we are still waiting to see where their other first-round pick will land, the 2026 draft is loaded with defensive talent. If Dallas can nail those two picks, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this defense rapidly improve. But who are the two players who could help this defense get back to being elite next season?
In a recent mock draft by Jordan Reid of ESPN, he helped the Cowboys solve their defensive issues with two building blocks. At pick No. 12, he had Dallas selecting Sonny Styles, a massive linebacker from Ohio State, to pair with DeMarvion Overshown. Here is a snippet of what Reid said about Styles and his fit in Dallas:
"The Cowboys desperately need defensive help, and Styles would give them a building block at the spine of their defense, which allowed a league-high 30.1 points per game in 2025. He would be a massive upgrade to Kenneth Murray Jr., who struggled in every way imaginable this season after being acquired from the Titans. Styles plays an attacking style that uses his excellent instincts, range and awareness. He's a wrap-up-and-finish run defender and an able blitzer (six sacks in 2024) who can create negative plays in the backfield."Jordan Reid on Sonny Styles
It’s not a surprise to see Styles mocked to Dallas, as that has been a common selection for the Cowboys for several weeks now. They have a big weakness at linebacker, and Styles might be the best off-ball linebacker in the class. Picking a linebacker at No. 12 doesn’t check the positional value box, but Styles is a fantastic prospect and worthy of a high selection. But he wasn’t the only highly sought-after defender the Cowboys snagged in Round 1.
Reid mocked Jermod McCoy to the Cowboys at pick No. 25, a cornerback from Tennessee, who did not play a single snap in 2025. McCoy tore his ACL last season and never returned to the field, but he was dominant in the SEC before his injury. Here is why Reid believes that he would be worth the risk for Dallas at the end of Round 1:
"McCoy did not play at all this season after suffering an ACL tear last January. That makes him a tough evaluation, as scouts have varying opinions on when he should come off the board, but one could argue that he had top-10 potential entering the season. While he won't likely be that, the Cowboys need reinforcements at cornerback, especially after releasing former Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs. McCoy would be a worthy pick at this spot even with the knee injury questions, and the Cowboys have taken players in similar situations in the past (such as cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. last year)."Jordan Reid on Jemod McCoy
Linebacker and cornerback are two of the most significant needs for Dallas, and you can make a case that Styles and McCoy are the top players at their position going into the draft process. There are fewer than four months until the NFL Draft, but a pairing of Styles and McCoy is how the Cowboys could get back on track in 2026 and beyond.
Don't be surprised if this is what Dallas tries to pull off in late April to fin the worst defense in franchise history.