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Cowboys grab dynamic playmaker in way-too-early 2026 NFL mock

ByMarcus Mosher|
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates after scoring on a 6-yard touchdown reception against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates after scoring on a 6-yard touchdown reception against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys weren’t able to find their No. 2 wide receiver during the 2025 NFL Draft after Tetairoa McMillan went at pick No. 8 to the Carolina Panthers.

But we should fully expect them to do so in next year’s draft, especially with Jalen Tolbert entering the final year of his contract.

In a recent mock draft by Jordan Reid of ESPN, he had the Cowboys selecting USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane with the No. 13 pick in 2026. Lane was the first receiver chosen in Reid's mock draft despite lackluster production during the 2024 season.

Cowboys tak USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane in ESPN's 2026 NFL mock draft

Here is a snippet of what Reid had to say about the possible pairing:

"The Cowboys passed on taking a wide receiver early this year, so they still need a high-level complement to CeeDee Lamb. Enter Lane, who had 12 touchdown catches on 43 receptions last season. Lane has an high-end catch radius and sudden movement traits at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds. I just want to see more consistency. I was in attendance for his three-touchdown performance in the Las Vegas Bowl, but Lane had fewer than 50 yards in seven of the 12 games he played last season. If he expands his route tree and has a few more big games this fall, he could entrench himself as the WR1 of the class.
"
Jordan Reid, ESPN

Reid is right to point out the very modest production for Lane, who racked up just 525 yards in 13 games. But his ability to be a weapon in the red zone is why Dallas could end up being interested during the 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas has not had a red zone target like him since Dez Bryant and his size and leaping ability would pair well with CeeDee Lamb.

The receiver class in next year’s draft isn’t expected to be the strongest in recent memory, but that can always change during the season.

Read more: Cowboys cut ties with fan favorite RB right after NFL Draft ends

But we should fully expect the Cowboys to do a lot of work on this upcoming receiver class after missing out this year. There is still a chance they could make a trade for a player like George Pickens, but that would be just a one-year rental rather than a long-term solution.

The good news is that Dallas has their No. 1 receiver in CeeDee Lamb and he’s shown the ability to handle a big workload. But the Cowboys have to find someone in the near future who can take some of the pressure off him and give Dak Prescott another reliable weapon in the passing game.

Prescott has posted some huge numbers when he has a viable receiving corps, and the Cowboys need to figure out that position sooner rather than later if they want to have any chance of competing in the NFC this season.

If they can’t, look for Dallas to be in the market for a wide receiver next season, likely inside the top 12 once again.

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